CVE-2014-6048 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyFAQ before 2.8.13 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary attachments via a direct request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6048 affects phpMyFAQ versions prior to 2.8.13 and represents a critical access control flaw that enables remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and access arbitrary attachments stored within the application. This vulnerability resides in the file handling and access control logic of the phpMyFAQ content management system, which is widely used for database management and knowledge base administration. The flaw allows unauthenticated users to directly request and retrieve attachment files that should typically be restricted to authorized users only, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this platform for sensitive data management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control checks within the attachment retrieval functionality. When users attempt to access attachments through direct URL requests, the application fails to properly verify whether the requester has legitimate authorization to access the specific file. This weakness falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285, where the system does not adequately enforce access restrictions for protected resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, requiring no special privileges or credentials beyond knowledge of the file paths, making it easily exploitable by attackers who can simply construct direct requests to access restricted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to data breaches, information disclosure, and potential compromise of sensitive database content. Organizations using phpMyFAQ for managing confidential information, user data, or business-critical knowledge bases face significant risk exposure when this vulnerability remains unpatched. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access not only general attachments but potentially sensitive configuration files, user credentials stored in database backups, or other confidential information that may be stored as attachments within the system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which covers data from information repositories, as it enables unauthorized access to stored data through compromised access controls. This type of vulnerability can result in regulatory compliance violations, reputational damage, and financial losses due to data exposure incidents.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6048 primarily involve immediate patching of phpMyFAQ installations to version 2.8.13 or later, which includes proper access control mechanisms and input validation for attachment retrieval. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to phpMyFAQ installations, particularly for attachment handling endpoints, and consider implementing additional authentication layers or API gateways to monitor and control access patterns. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual attachment access patterns and direct URL requests that bypass normal application interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing of phpMyFAQ installations can help identify similar access control weaknesses, while implementing principle of least privilege for file system permissions can further reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.