CVE-2017-15731 in phpMyFAQ
Summary
by MITRE
In phpMyFAQ before 2.9.9, there is Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) in admin/stat.adminlog.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15731 represents a critical Cross-Site Request Forgery flaw discovered in phpMyFAQ versions prior to 2.9.9. This vulnerability specifically affects the admin/stat.adminlog.php component of the application, which serves as a statistical log viewer for administrators. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to manipulate the application's functionality through maliciously crafted requests that exploit the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to validate the origin of requests made to the statistical logging administration interface, creating an avenue for unauthorized actions to be executed on behalf of legitimate administrators.
This CSRF vulnerability operates under CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery as a fundamental web application security weakness. The flaw enables attackers to perform actions such as viewing sensitive statistical data, modifying log configurations, or potentially executing administrative commands without proper authorization. The attack vector requires an authenticated user session, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is compromised or where social engineering attacks can trick administrators into visiting malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is significantly amplified because it targets administrative functionality, potentially allowing attackers to gain deeper insights into system operations or manipulate critical logging data that could be used for further attacks or to cover malicious activities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can compromise the integrity of system audit trails and statistical reporting mechanisms. Administrators relying on accurate logging data for security monitoring or compliance purposes may be misled by manipulated log entries. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as it allows for the manipulation of administrative interfaces that might be used to escalate privileges or access other system components. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it can be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting administrators or by leveraging compromised administrative credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15731 involve implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms in the affected phpMyFAQ administration components. The most effective solution requires updating to phpMyFAQ version 2.9.9 or later, where the CSRF protection has been properly implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, regular security audits of administrative interfaces, and monitoring for unusual administrative activities. Network segmentation and access control measures can further reduce the risk by limiting the exposure of administrative interfaces to trusted networks only. Security teams should also establish procedures for monitoring and validating administrative actions within the application to detect potential CSRF attacks that might bypass automated protections.