CVE-2012-4255 in MySQLDumper
Summary
by MITRE
MySQLDumper 1.24.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request to learn/cubemail/refresh_dblist.php, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4255 affects MySQLDumper version 1.24.4 and represents a sensitive data exposure issue that fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected systems. This flaw resides in the application's handling of direct requests to the learn/cubemail/refresh_dblist.php endpoint, where the software fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker sends a crafted request to this specific path, causing the application to generate an error message that inadvertently exposes the absolute installation path of the MySQLDumper application on the server filesystem. This type of information disclosure vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages, and represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the MySQLDumper application's database listing refresh functionality. When the refresh_dblist.php script processes a request without proper validation, it fails to implement appropriate access controls or input sanitization measures. This allows unauthenticated remote attackers to probe the application's internal structure and obtain the precise file system path where MySQLDumper is installed. The exposed path information serves as a crucial piece of reconnaissance data that can be used to craft more sophisticated attacks, including directory traversal attempts, privilege escalation exploits, or targeted attacks against specific system components. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can enable attackers to map the application's internal architecture, potentially revealing other system components and their interrelationships.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure and can facilitate more serious security breaches within the targeted environment. Attackers who obtain the installation path can use this information to perform directory traversal attacks, potentially accessing other files within the application's directory structure, or to craft targeted payloads that exploit other vulnerabilities present in the same system. The exposed path information also provides attackers with insight into the server's configuration and potentially reveals the operating system type or version information. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as it enables attackers to gather system information that can be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the application's security design principles, specifically in the area of secure error handling and information hiding, which are fundamental requirements in security frameworks such as those defined by OWASP.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to a patched version of MySQLDumper that properly handles error messages and implements proper access controls for the refresh_dblist.php endpoint. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all error messages are sanitized and do not reveal system-specific information such as file paths, server configuration details, or internal application structure information. Security configurations should enforce strict access controls on sensitive application endpoints, requiring proper authentication and authorization before allowing access to administrative functions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameter sanitization can prevent attackers from crafting malicious requests that trigger the vulnerable code path. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls that limit direct access to potentially vulnerable application endpoints, particularly those that handle sensitive operations such as database connection management and system information retrieval. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities across the entire application portfolio, as this type of flaw can often indicate broader security design weaknesses within the application architecture.