CVE-2012-3365 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
The SQLite functionality in PHP before 5.3.15 allows remote attackers to bypass the open_basedir protection mechanism via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3365 represents a critical security flaw in PHP's SQLite implementation that undermines fundamental web application security controls. This vulnerability affects PHP versions prior to 5.3.15 and specifically targets the open_basedir protection mechanism, which is a crucial security feature designed to restrict file access to specific directories. The open_basedir directive serves as a barrier preventing malicious actors from accessing files outside of designated safe paths, making it an essential component of server-side security architecture. When this protection mechanism is bypassed, attackers gain unauthorized access to file system resources that should remain restricted, potentially exposing sensitive data and system components to compromise.
The technical flaw lies within how PHP processes SQLite database operations in conjunction with the open_basedir directive. Although the exact vector remains unspecified in the original description, this type of vulnerability typically involves manipulation of file path resolution or database connection parameters that allow attackers to circumvent the intended directory restrictions. The vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the interaction between PHP's SQLite extension and the open_basedir configuration, potentially through improper validation of database file paths or through manipulation of database connection strings that could lead to path traversal or directory bypass scenarios. This issue falls under the broader category of privilege escalation and access control bypass vulnerabilities, which are classified as CWE-284 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3365 extends far beyond simple data access violations, as it provides attackers with a pathway to potentially execute arbitrary code or gain deeper system access. When open_basedir protection is bypassed, malicious actors can access files that contain sensitive information such as configuration files, user credentials, application source code, or other system resources that should remain protected. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on SQLite databases and utilize open_basedir for security purposes, making it a significant concern for hosting environments and shared web servers where multiple applications may be running. The vulnerability can enable attackers to perform data exfiltration, escalate privileges, or use the compromised access as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement patch management procedures to upgrade to PHP version 5.3.15 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the bypass mechanism. System administrators should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify any applications still running vulnerable PHP versions and ensure that all open_basedir directives are properly configured and monitored. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, and reviewing application code for proper database connection handling. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers can use it to bypass security controls and maintain persistent access to systems. The remediation process should also include regular security auditing of database access controls and implementation of comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts.