CVE-2015-8669 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
libraries/config/messages.inc.php in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.12, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.2, and 4.5.x before 4.5.3.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted request, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8669 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to specific patch releases, representing a critical information disclosure issue that exposes system paths to remote attackers. This flaw exists within the libraries/config/messages.inc.php file, which is part of the phpMyAdmin configuration handling mechanism. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to craft specific requests that trigger error messages containing the full server path where phpMyAdmin is installed, thereby providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information about the target system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the phpMyAdmin application's configuration processing module. When a malformed or crafted request is sent to the affected version, the system fails to properly sanitize or handle the input, resulting in the exposure of the complete file path through error messages. This occurs because the application does not implement proper input validation or error suppression mechanisms that would prevent sensitive path information from being leaked to unauthorized users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, "Exploitation for Credential Access," as path disclosure can facilitate further attacks by providing attackers with system layout information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked path information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the exposed paths to understand the directory structure, potentially identifying other vulnerable components, misconfigurations, or even locating backup files and configuration files that may contain additional sensitive data. This information disclosure can enable attackers to craft more targeted attacks against the system, including potential exploitation of other vulnerabilities that might be present in the identified directories. The vulnerability affects multiple version streams of phpMyAdmin, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous organizations running these older versions, particularly those that have not implemented proper patch management procedures.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade to the patched versions specified in the advisory, which include phpMyAdmin 4.0.10.12, 4.4.15.2, and 4.5.3.1. Additionally, system administrators should implement proper error handling configurations that suppress detailed error messages from being displayed to end users, and should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities, as this issue demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in preventing unintended information exposure. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of path disclosure attempts in their network traffic logs.