CVE-2014-8335 in WP-DBManager
Summary
by MITRE
(1) wp-dbmanager.php and (2) database-manage.php in the WP-DBManager (aka Database Manager) plugin before 2.7.2 for WordPress place credentials on the mysqldump command line, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by listing the process.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The CVE-2014-8335 vulnerability affects the WP-DBManager plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions prior to 2.7.2. This security flaw resides in two critical files: wp-dbmanager.php and database-manage.php which together handle database management operations within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's improper handling of database credentials during mysqldump command execution, creating a significant information disclosure risk for local system users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves placing database authentication credentials directly on the command line when executing the mysqldump utility. This approach violates fundamental security principles by exposing sensitive information through process listings that are accessible to local users. When the mysqldump command runs, its arguments including username and password are visible in the process table, making them accessible to any user with appropriate privileges on the system. This practice directly contravenes the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling as outlined in cybersecurity best practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with direct access to database authentication information that can be leveraged for further exploitation. Local users who can enumerate running processes can extract the database credentials and potentially use them to access the database directly, bypassing WordPress authentication mechanisms entirely. This creates a significant attack surface where an attacker with local access can escalate privileges and gain unauthorized database access, potentially leading to data exfiltration, modification, or complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-255 - Credentials Management Issues and represents a classic example of insecure command-line argument handling.
The security implications of this flaw are particularly concerning in shared hosting environments where multiple users may have access to process listings or where privilege escalation opportunities exist. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through process enumeration techniques, potentially gaining access to database credentials stored in command-line arguments. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1003 - OS Credential Dumping, as it provides a method for extracting credentials from running processes. The weakness essentially transforms a legitimate administrative tool into an information disclosure vector, undermining the security posture of WordPress installations that rely on the plugin for database management operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 2.7.2 or later, which addresses the credential exposure issue through proper command-line argument handling. Organizations should also implement process monitoring to detect suspicious credential exposure patterns and ensure that database credentials are not passed through command-line arguments. Additional measures include restricting local user access where possible, implementing proper database user permissions, and regularly auditing plugin security practices. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in database management tools.