CVE-2006-1088 in PHP-Stats
Summary
by MITRE
PHP-Stats 0.1.9.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a direct request to checktables.php, which lists the database table_prefix.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-1088 affects PHP-Stats version 0.1.9.1 and earlier implementations, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive database configuration details to remote attackers. This vulnerability specifically resides within the checktables.php script which is part of the PHP-Stats application designed for statistical analysis and database monitoring purposes. The flaw enables unauthorized parties to directly access database table prefix information through simple HTTP requests, creating a substantial security risk for systems utilizing this software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the PHP-Stats application. When attackers make direct requests to the checktables.php endpoint, the application fails to properly authenticate or authorize these requests, allowing immediate disclosure of database table prefix information. This exposure occurs because the script does not implement proper access controls or user authentication checks before revealing database structure details. The table prefix information serves as critical metadata that can significantly aid attackers in understanding the database schema and planning subsequent exploitation attempts. According to CWE-200, this represents a weakness where information is disclosed to unauthorized actors, specifically categorized under information exposure through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked table prefix information provides attackers with foundational knowledge about the database structure that can facilitate more sophisticated attacks. The table prefix reveals patterns in database naming conventions which can help attackers predict other table names, identify potential weak points in the database design, and potentially uncover additional vulnerabilities. This information disclosure creates a reconnaissance advantage for threat actors who might subsequently attempt SQL injection attacks, privilege escalation, or other database-related exploits. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which involves data from information repositories, specifically targeting database systems and their structural information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of access control measures and proper authentication protocols within the PHP-Stats application. System administrators should ensure that all endpoints, particularly those related to database configuration and structure information, require proper authentication before returning any sensitive data. The recommended approach includes implementing robust user authentication mechanisms, restricting access to administrative scripts through firewall rules, and ensuring that only authorized personnel can access database-related configuration files. Additionally, upgrading to a patched version of PHP-Stats that properly implements access controls and authentication measures would provide the most effective long-term solution. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive database endpoints, as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader reconnaissance activities within a compromised network environment.