CVE-2014-8961 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in libraries/error_report.lib.php in the error-reporting feature in phpMyAdmin 4.1.x before 4.1.14.7 and 4.2.x before 4.2.12 allows remote authenticated users to obtain potentially sensitive information about a file's line count via a crafted parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8961 represents a directory traversal flaw within the phpMyAdmin application's error reporting functionality. This issue affects versions 4.1.x prior to 4.1.14.7 and 4.2.x prior to 4.2.12, where the error_report.lib.php library fails to properly sanitize user input parameters. The vulnerability specifically impacts the error-reporting feature which is designed to provide diagnostic information about database operations and system errors. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious parameters that manipulate the file path resolution mechanism, potentially exposing sensitive information about file line counts and underlying system structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the error reporting module. When phpMyAdmin processes error information, it accepts user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to inject directory traversal sequences. This flaw operates at the application layer and requires authentication to exploit, meaning only users with valid credentials can leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as a directory traversal attack, where the attacker manipulates file path references to access unauthorized files or directories. The specific exploitation technique involves crafting parameter values that bypass normal file access controls, enabling the retrieval of information that would normally be restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with insights into the application's internal file structure and potentially reveal sensitive configuration details. An authenticated attacker can use this vulnerability to gather information about the system's file organization, which may aid in planning more sophisticated attacks. The exposure of file line count information can indirectly reveal the complexity and structure of the application's source code, potentially helping attackers identify potential attack vectors or locate sensitive data within the system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it enables adversaries to enumerate system files and directories through legitimate application functionality.
Organizations using affected versions of phpMyAdmin should immediately implement the available patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 4.1.14.7 or 4.2.12, which contain proper input validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual patterns in error reporting requests, particularly those involving unusual parameter values or directory traversal sequences. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments of their phpMyAdmin installations to ensure proper configuration and identify any potential vulnerabilities that may have been overlooked during initial deployment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly benign error reporting features can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented.