CVE-2007-0095 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyAdmin 2.9.1.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request for themes/darkblue_orange/layout.inc.php, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0095 represents a classic information disclosure flaw within the phpMyAdmin web application management tool. This issue affects version 2.9.1.1 and demonstrates how improper error handling can expose sensitive system information to remote attackers. The vulnerability specifically manifests when an attacker makes a direct request to the themes/darkblue_orange/layout.inc.php file, which triggers an error message containing the absolute file path on the server. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-209 category of "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and represents a fundamental weakness in the application's error handling mechanisms. The phpMyAdmin application, which serves as a popular web-based tool for managing mysql databases, becomes vulnerable to reconnaissance attacks that can provide attackers with critical system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a straightforward approach where an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request directly to the vulnerable file path. When the application processes this request, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input, resulting in an error message that inadvertently reveals the complete server path where phpMyAdmin is installed. This exposure of file paths provides attackers with crucial information about the server's directory structure, which can be leveraged in subsequent attacks. The vulnerability essentially bypasses normal application logic and exposes internal system details through error reporting mechanisms. From an operational perspective, this issue represents a significant security risk because it provides attackers with the exact location of the application on the filesystem, potentially enabling them to craft more sophisticated attacks or exploit other vulnerabilities that might exist in the same directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance and plan more targeted attacks against the affected system. The exposed path information can reveal the web root directory, application installation location, and potentially other system details that might aid in privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain information about the target system. The flaw represents a failure in input validation and error handling practices that are fundamental to secure application development. Organizations running affected versions of phpMyAdmin become vulnerable to attackers who can use this information to map the application's architecture and identify potential attack vectors. The exposure of absolute paths can also reveal the underlying operating system and file structure, which may be valuable for attackers planning more advanced exploitation techniques.
The recommended mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate upgrading to a patched version of phpMyAdmin, as the issue was resolved in subsequent releases through improved error handling and input validation. Organizations should implement proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error messages, following the principle of least privilege in error reporting. Additionally, web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for and block direct requests to sensitive application files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper error handling in web applications, emphasizing that even seemingly minor flaws can provide significant advantages to attackers. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that error messages do not reveal system-specific information that could aid in exploitation attempts.