CVE-2015-3903 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
libraries/Config.class.php in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.10, 4.2.x before 4.2.13.3, 4.3.x before 4.3.13.1, and 4.4.x before 4.4.6.1 disables X.509 certificate verification for GitHub API calls over SSL, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3903 affects phpMyAdmin versions across multiple release branches including 4.0.x before 4.0.10.10, 4.2.x before 4.2.13.3, 4.3.x before 4.3.13.1, and 4.4.x before 4.4.6.1. This security flaw resides within the libraries/Config.class.php file and specifically targets the handling of SSL connections when making GitHub API calls. The issue represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture where the software intentionally disables X.509 certificate verification during secure communications, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the fundamental security assurances provided by SSL/TLS protocols.
The technical flaw manifests as a deliberate bypass of SSL certificate validation mechanisms within the phpMyAdmin application's configuration handling code. When the software attempts to establish secure connections to the GitHub API, it explicitly disables certificate verification checks that would normally ensure the authenticity of the server being connected to. This configuration error allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting a forged SSL certificate that appears legitimate to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability falls under CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should always maintain strict certificate verification requirements for all SSL connections.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception as it enables attackers to completely impersonate legitimate GitHub servers and gain access to sensitive information that would normally be protected by SSL encryption. An attacker positioned in the network path between the phpMyAdmin instance and GitHub can intercept communications and present a malicious certificate that the vulnerable application will accept without proper validation. This creates opportunities for credential theft, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire phpMyAdmin environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions across different release lines, indicating a widespread issue that would have impacted numerous organizations running vulnerable phpMyAdmin installations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions of phpMyAdmin that address the certificate verification issue. The recommended approach involves upgrading to the specific patched releases mentioned in the CVE details, which restore proper SSL certificate validation for GitHub API connections. Additionally, network-level mitigations such as implementing strict firewall rules and monitoring for unusual outbound connections to GitHub can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious SSL certificate validation patterns and monitor for potential man-in-the-middle attack indicators. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1041 which covers data compression and encryption, as it directly impacts the secure transmission of data through compromised certificate validation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining proper SSL/TLS security configurations and highlights the need for regular security audits of third-party library integrations within web applications.