CVE-2015-2208 in phpMoAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
The saveObject function in moadmin.php in phpMoAdmin 1.1.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the object parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2208 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the phpMoAdmin 1.1.2 administration interface. This vulnerability exists in the saveObject function of the moadmin.php file, which processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation. The flaw specifically targets the object parameter where attackers can inject shell metacharacters to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks as defined by CWE-77, where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. The implications are severe as this allows attackers to gain full control over the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks through the object parameter in the saveObject function. These characters are interpreted by the underlying operating system as command delimiters or operators, allowing the attacker to chain multiple commands or execute entirely new processes. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the absence of proper security controls that should be implemented at the application level to prevent such injections. The lack of proper sanitization means that any user with access to the administrative interface can potentially exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative privileges are accessible to untrusted users.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2208 extends far beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Once exploited, attackers can perform actions such as creating new user accounts, modifying existing files, installing malware, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the server. This vulnerability directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage system commands to execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability also maps to the broader ATT&CK tactic of Execution, as it enables adversaries to run arbitrary code on the target system. Organizations running vulnerable versions of phpMoAdmin face significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the affected phpMoAdmin version to the latest secure release that addresses the input validation issues. System administrators should implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms that filter or escape special characters before processing user input. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting administrative access to only trusted users and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The remediation process should also include monitoring for suspicious activities and implementing proper logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security updates in preventing remote code execution attacks.