CVE-2006-4976 in Adodb Date Library
Summary
by MITRE
The Date Library in John Lim ADOdb Library for PHP allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for (1) server.php, (2) adodb-errorpear.inc.php, (3) adodb-iterator.inc.php, (4) adodb-pear.inc.php, (5) adodb-perf.inc.php, (6) adodb-xmlschema.inc.php, and (7) adodb.inc.php; files in datadict including (8) datadict-access.inc.php, (9) datadict-db2.inc.php, (10) datadict-generic.inc.php, (11) datadict-ibase.inc.php, (12) datadict-informix.inc.php, (13) datadict-mssql.inc.php, (14) datadict-mysql.inc.php, (15) datadict-oci8.inc.php, (16) datadict-postgres.inc.php, and (17) datadict-sybase.inc.php; files in drivers/ including (18) adodb-access.inc.php, (19) adodb-ado.inc.php, (20) adodb-ado_access.inc.php, (21) adodb-ado_mssql.inc.php, (22) adodb-borland_ibase.inc.php, (23) adodb-csv.inc.php, (24) adodb-db2.inc.php, (25) adodb-fbsql.inc.php, (26) adodb-firebird.inc.php, (27) adodb-ibase.inc.php, (28) adodb-informix.inc.php, (29) adodb-informix72.inc.php, (30) adodb-mssql.inc.php, (31) adodb-mssqlpo.inc.php, (32) adodb-mysql.inc.php, (33) adodb-mysqli.inc.php, (34) adodb-mysqlt.inc.php, (35) adodb-oci8.inc.php, (36) adodb-oci805.inc.php, (37) adodb-oci8po.inc.php, (38) adodb-odbc.inc.php, (39) adodb-odbc_mssql.inc.php, (40) adodb-odbc_oracle.inc.php, (41) adodb-oracle.inc.php, (42) adodb-postgres64.inc.php, (43) adodb-postgres7.inc.php, (44) adodb-proxy.inc.php, (45) adodb-sapdb.inc.php, (46) adodb-sqlanywhere.inc.php, (47) adodb-sqlite.inc.php, (48) adodb-sybase.inc.php, (49) adodb-vfp.inc.php; file in perf/ including (50) perf-db2.inc.php, (51) perf-informix.inc.php, (52) perf-mssql.inc.php, (53) perf-mysql.inc.php, (54) perf-oci8.inc.php, (55) perf-postgres.inc.php; tests/ files (56) benchmark.php, (57) client.php, (58) test-datadict.php, (59) test-perf.php, (60) test-pgblob.php, (61) test-php5.php, (62) test-xmlschema.php, (63) test.php, (64) test2.php, (65) test3.php, (66) test4.php, (67) test5.php, (68) test_rs_array.php, (69) testcache.php, (70) testdatabases.inc.php, (71) testgenid.php, (72) testmssql.php, (73) testoci8.php, (74) testoci8cursor.php, (75) testpaging.php, (76) testpear.php, (77) testsessions.php, (78) time.php, or (79) tmssql.php, which reveals the path in various error messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4976 represents a critical information disclosure issue within the John Lim ADOdb Library for PHP, a widely used database abstraction layer that facilitates database connectivity across various PHP applications. This flaw stems from the library's Date Library implementation, which fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to numerous internal PHP files that contain sensitive system information. When attackers make direct requests to these specific files, they can obtain detailed server path information that appears in various error messages generated by the library. The vulnerability affects a comprehensive list of 79 files across multiple directories including datadict, drivers, perf, and tests, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated flaw. This exposure occurs because the library does not properly validate or restrict access to its internal components, creating an information disclosure window that can reveal critical system paths to unauthorized users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which defines information disclosure vulnerabilities where sensitive information is exposed to unauthorized actors. The flaw operates through a path traversal or direct file access mechanism that allows remote attackers to bypass normal access controls. When these specific files are accessed directly, they generate error messages that contain full server paths, which can include directory structures, file locations, and potentially other system-specific information. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these files are part of the core library functionality and are typically installed in predictable locations within web server directories. Attackers can leverage this information to conduct further reconnaissance, potentially identifying system architecture, file locations, and even database configurations that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed paths can serve as valuable intelligence for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of server paths can provide attackers with knowledge of the underlying system architecture, potentially revealing whether the system is running on Windows or Unix-like platforms, and indicating the presence of specific database drivers or components. This information can be used to tailor subsequent attacks, such as exploiting known vulnerabilities in specific database drivers or conducting targeted attacks against exposed system components. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation and access control mechanisms within the ADOdb library, which could indicate broader security weaknesses in the library's design approach. Organizations using this library are at risk of having their system configurations exposed, potentially leading to more serious security incidents if attackers can correlate the disclosed information with other reconnaissance data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access controls and input validation measures. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all internal library files are protected from direct web access through proper web server configuration, such as using .htaccess restrictions or configuring directory access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files. Additionally, developers should avoid making library internal files directly accessible via web requests and instead implement proper routing mechanisms that prevent direct file access. Security hardening practices should include removing or renaming sensitive files that are not intended for public access, and ensuring that error handling does not expose system paths in production environments. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block direct access attempts to known sensitive files. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Social Engineering) as it enables attackers to gather system information that can be used for further exploitation. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar access control issues within the application's codebase, and updates to the ADOdb library should be prioritized to address this and related vulnerabilities.