CVE-2008-7252 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
libraries/File.class.php in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.10 uses predictable filenames for temporary files, which has unknown impact and attack vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7252 affects phpMyAdmin version 2.11.x prior to 2.11.10, specifically within the libraries/File.class.php component. This issue stems from the application's use of predictable filename patterns when generating temporary files during various operations. The predictable nature of these filenames creates a significant security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate or access temporary files that should remain private or protected.
The technical flaw lies in the implementation of temporary file generation where phpMyAdmin employs deterministic naming schemes that can be easily anticipated by attackers. This weakness allows adversaries to predict the exact names of temporary files that the application creates during processing operations, potentially enabling them to overwrite these files with malicious content or access sensitive data that might be temporarily stored. The vulnerability falls under the category of predictable temporary file generation, which is classified as CWE-377 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing a significant concern in software security practices. The attack surface is particularly concerning because temporary files often contain sensitive information or serve as intermediaries in data processing operations where manipulation could lead to broader system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file access issues, as it can potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the application environment. When temporary files are created with predictable names, they become susceptible to race condition attacks where malicious users can attempt to create symbolic links or replace legitimate temporary files with crafted content. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that attackers might leverage to gain unauthorized access to the system. The unknown impact and attack vectors mentioned in the original description suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited in multiple ways, potentially including local file inclusion attacks or other forms of code execution depending on how the temporary files are utilized within the application's processing flow.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of the affected phpMyAdmin installations to version 2.11.10 or later, where the predictable filename generation has been addressed. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper temporary file directory permissions and ensure that temporary files are created with unique, non-predictable names using secure randomization techniques. Security monitoring should include checks for unusual temporary file creation patterns, and the application should be configured to use secure temporary directories that are not accessible to web users. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring and regular security assessments to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure temporary file handling practices in web applications, as predictable file names can undermine even the most robust application security measures.