CVE-2000-0707 in MySQLDatabase Admin Tool
Summary
by MITRE
PCCS MySQLDatabase Admin Tool Manager 1.2.4 and earlier installs the file dbconnect.inc within the web root, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information such as the administrative password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0707 represents a critical security flaw in the PCCS MySQL Database Admin Tool Manager version 1.2.4 and earlier. This issue stems from improper file placement within the application's directory structure, specifically the installation of the dbconnect.inc file in the web root directory. The web root represents the primary directory from which web servers serve content to users, making any files placed there directly accessible via HTTP requests. This misconfiguration creates an exploitable condition that directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control.
The technical flaw manifests through the exposure of sensitive configuration information contained within the dbconnect.inc file. This file typically contains database connection parameters including administrative credentials, which are stored in plain text format. When placed in the web root, any remote attacker who discovers the file path can directly access it through a web browser or automated scanning tools. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic case of insecure file handling and improper privilege management. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-312, which covers the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as the administrative password provides attackers with complete control over the database management system. This access enables unauthorized users to modify database content, create or delete tables, alter user permissions, and potentially escalate their privileges further within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the database system, representing a complete compromise of the application's security posture. Attackers can leverage this information to perform data exfiltration, inject malicious content, or establish persistent access points within the network. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects a database administration tool, which typically requires elevated privileges and handles sensitive organizational data. This flaw also creates opportunities for attackers to conduct further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network, as database credentials often provide access to multiple systems and applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2000-0707 require immediate action to address the root cause of the vulnerability. The primary remediation involves relocating the dbconnect.inc file outside of the web root directory, ensuring that sensitive configuration files are not directly accessible through web requests. Organizations should implement proper file access controls and permissions, ensuring that only authorized system processes can read sensitive configuration files. Additionally, the application should be updated to a patched version that properly handles file placement and access controls. Security configurations should include regular audits of file permissions and web directory contents to prevent similar issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of credential exposure, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. These remediation steps align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through various attack vectors, and emphasize the need for proper access control implementations as defined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.