CVE-2008-1567 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyAdmin before 2.11.5.1 stores the MySQL (1) username and (2) password, and the (3) Blowfish secret key, in cleartext in a Session file under /tmp, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1567 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.11.5.1 and represents a critical security flaw in how the application handles session data storage. This issue stems from the application's improper handling of sensitive authentication credentials and cryptographic keys, creating persistent exposure of confidential information on the filesystem. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management mechanism where phpMyAdmin stores critical authentication parameters in plaintext format within temporary files located in the /tmp directory, making these sensitive elements accessible to any local user with filesystem access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves phpMyAdmin's session handling code writing authentication credentials including MySQL username and password along with the Blowfish secret key directly to session files without proper encryption or access controls. These session files are typically stored in the /tmp directory, which is a common temporary storage location on Unix-like systems where temporary files are created and managed. The cleartext storage of these sensitive elements creates an attack surface that allows local users to read these files and extract the stored credentials, effectively bypassing the application's authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to MySQL databases.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems where phpMyAdmin is deployed, particularly in shared hosting environments or multi-user systems where local privilege escalation is possible. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain access to database credentials and cryptographic keys that could be used to compromise not only the targeted database but potentially other systems that rely on the same authentication credentials. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as the Blowfish secret key stored in the session file can be used to decrypt other sensitive data that might be encrypted using the same key, potentially leading to further compromise of the system's security posture.
This vulnerability aligns with multiple CWE classifications including CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), demonstrating poor security practices in credential management and session handling. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Unsecured Credentials) and T1552.004 (Credentials in Files) which highlight the importance of proper credential protection mechanisms and secure file handling practices. Organizations running affected versions of phpMyAdmin should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 2.11.5.1 or later, implementing proper file permissions on temporary directories, and considering alternative session storage mechanisms that do not store sensitive information in plaintext. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of session file locations and ensure that temporary directories are properly secured with appropriate access controls and monitoring mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive session data.