CVE-2004-2255 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in phpMyFAQ 1.3.12 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files, and possibly execute local PHP files, via the action variable, which is used as part of a template filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2255 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within phpMyFAQ version 1.3.12 that exposes the application to remote code execution and unauthorized data access. This issue stems from improper input validation in the handling of the action variable, which serves as a template filename parameter within the application's code execution flow. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the action variable to navigate through the file system and access sensitive files that should remain protected. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability falls under the category of Directory Traversal or Path Traversal attacks, where insufficient restrictions on user-supplied input enable attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the action variable is processed without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ into the template filename. This enables the application to resolve paths that extend beyond its intended scope, potentially leading to the reading of system configuration files, database credentials, or even local PHP files that could contain executable code. The impact extends beyond simple file reading to include potential code execution scenarios where local PHP files might be included and executed by the web server. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python, as it enables attackers to execute code through manipulated file inclusion mechanisms.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2255 is severe for organizations utilizing phpMyFAQ 1.3.12, as it provides attackers with the capability to extract sensitive information from the web server, potentially compromising database credentials, application configuration files, and other critical system data. The vulnerability also poses a significant risk for privilege escalation and further system compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system control. Organizations running this vulnerable version face potential data breaches, unauthorized access to database contents, and possible use of the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other network resources. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that phpMyFAQ is a widely used database administration tool that often contains sensitive database connection information and system configuration details.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of phpMyFAQ that properly validates and sanitizes the action variable input before processing it as a template filename. Security patches should implement strict input validation that rejects any directory traversal sequences and ensures that all template file references remain within the intended application directory structure. Additionally, organizations should implement proper access controls and file permissions to limit the impact of any potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring of unusual file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and input validation techniques as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and other security frameworks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other applications and systems within the organization's infrastructure.