FreshRSS Web Installer Scanner

FreshRSS is an open-source aggregator designed for users to conveniently read and manage news feeds. It is widely utilized by individuals and organizations aiming to streamline their access to RSS feeds. Its user-friendly interface and multi-user capabilities make it suitable for both personal and professional environments. Developed with PHP, it demands a web server environment to function, and its flexibility allows for numerous custom configurations via plugins and themes. FreshRSS is favored for its lightweight efficiency and offers integration with numerous feed reading services and platforms. Continuous updates and a community-driven development model help keep it in alignment with user needs and security standards.

The vulnerability in question is related to FreshRSS's exposure of its installation page. This accessibility issue can result in unauthorized users gaining insights into the setup procedures of the application, potentially leading to security breaches. An installation page exposure can occur inadvertently through improper configurations during deployment. This is a common issue with web applications where sensitive setup information is left publicly accessible. Proper handling can prevent unauthorized configuration changes, which could otherwise lead to security holes in the system. Awareness of such misconfigurations is crucial for maintaining the robustness of web applications like FreshRSS.

Technically, this vulnerability arises when sensitive installation paths are left accessible post-deployment. Specifically, the FreshRSS installation panel is available at URLs containing patterns like /i/?rid. If paired with a server response code of 200 and specific words within the response body, this indicates a successful detection of the exposed installation page. These overlooked paths in web applications are critical points of interest that attackers may exploit, leveraging the information to perform unauthorized activities. The exposure is detectable via HTTP GET requests that probe for known installation-related endpoints that return distinct confirmation signatures.

If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized control over the FreshRSS environment. Malicious actors may manipulate the application's configuration, leading to possible data breaches or service disruptions. Information from an exposed installation panel could aid attackers in understanding the application's setup, thus facilitating further attacks. In severe cases, an attacker might completely hijack the application, undermining user data integrity and confidentiality. Compromised installations risk becoming entry points for more extensive network attacks.