CVE-2008-5587 in phpPgAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in libraries/lib.inc.php in phpPgAdmin 4.2.1 and earlier, when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the _language parameter to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5587 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the phpPgAdmin web application framework. This security weakness specifically affects versions 4.2.1 and earlier, creating a significant attack surface when the vulnerable application operates with register_globals enabled. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms that fail to sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing them within the application's file inclusion logic. The affected file libraries/lib.inc.php demonstrates a lack of proper parameter sanitization that allows attackers to manipulate the _language parameter through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes the _language parameter without adequate validation or sanitization, enabling attackers to craft malicious input that navigates the file system beyond intended boundaries. When register_globals is enabled, the vulnerability becomes even more pronounced as the application's configuration allows external parameters to be automatically converted into global variables, providing attackers with additional attack vectors. The .. (dot dot) traversal sequences in the _language parameter can be used to traverse parent directories and access arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive information such as database credentials, configuration files, or other system resources that should remain protected.
This directory traversal vulnerability has significant operational impact on systems running vulnerable versions of phpPgAdmin, as it allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without requiring authentication or privileged access. The attack can result in data breaches, system compromise, and potential escalation to full system control depending on the permissions of the web application user. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and follows attack patterns consistent with those documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering. The vulnerability particularly affects database administrators who rely on phpPgAdmin for database management, as successful exploitation could expose database connection strings, user credentials, and other sensitive configuration data.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of phpPgAdmin, disabling register_globals in the php.ini configuration file, and implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within the application. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, while regular security audits should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application codebase. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper parameter validation and input sanitization practices, particularly in applications that handle user-supplied data for file operations or system resource access. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious directory traversal attempts and anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against this or similar vulnerabilities.