CVE-2012-4219 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
show_config_errors.php in phpMyAdmin 3.5.x before 3.5.2.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request, which reveals the installation path in an error message, related to lack of inclusion of the common.inc.php library file.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4219 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within phpMyAdmin versions 3.5.x prior to 3.5.2.1. This issue stems from the improper handling of error messages in the show_config_errors.php script, which exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers without adequate authentication or authorization controls. The vulnerability specifically affects the configuration error handling mechanism that fails to properly include the common.inc.php library file, creating a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to installation path details. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category, which encompasses issues related to information exposure, and represents a significant security risk that can facilitate further exploitation attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker makes a direct request to the show_config_errors.php endpoint without proper authentication. The absence of the common.inc.php library inclusion means that the application fails to properly initialize its security context and error handling mechanisms. When phpMyAdmin encounters configuration errors under these circumstances, it generates error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute installation path of the application on the server filesystem. This path disclosure provides attackers with crucial information about the server environment, including directory structures and potential weak points in the system architecture that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4219 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the revealed installation paths can significantly aid attackers in planning subsequent exploitation attempts. Knowledge of the absolute file paths enables attackers to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal vulnerabilities, local file inclusion issues, or other path-based exploitation techniques. The vulnerability creates a reconnaissance opportunity that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), as attackers can use the disclosed information to better understand the target environment and identify potential attack vectors. This information exposure can also facilitate credential stuffing attacks if the disclosed paths contain clues about configuration file locations or database connection details.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released by phpMyAdmin version 3.5.2.1, which properly includes the common.inc.php library file and ensures appropriate error handling mechanisms are in place. System administrators should also review their phpMyAdmin configurations to ensure that error messages are not displayed to end users in production environments, implementing proper logging and monitoring of error conditions. The mitigation strategy should include disabling the display of detailed error messages in production deployments and ensuring that all phpMyAdmin components properly initialize their security contexts before processing user requests. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit direct access to administrative interfaces, reducing the attack surface and minimizing the potential impact of such information disclosure vulnerabilities.