CVE-2018-7251 in Anchor
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in config/error.php in Anchor 0.12.3. The error log is exposed at an errors.log URI, and contains MySQL credentials if a MySQL error (such as "Too many connections") has occurred.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7251 resides within the Anchor CMS version 0.12.3, specifically in the config/error.php file where improper error handling leads to critical information disclosure. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that exposes sensitive database credentials through an accessible error log file, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to compromise the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests when MySQL errors occur, particularly those related to connection limits such as "Too many connections," which trigger the logging of database authentication details in plaintext format.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error management practices within the CMS framework. When MySQL encounters connection issues or other database-related problems, the system generates error logs that are subsequently made accessible through the errors.log URI endpoint. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized users to directly access the error log file without proper authentication mechanisms, thereby exposing MySQL credentials including usernames, passwords, and potentially database connection strings that are logged in clear text format. The flaw directly maps to CWE-200, which addresses information exposure through improper error handling, and represents a classic case of insecure error logging that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with the means to establish unauthorized database connections and potentially escalate privileges within the system. Once attackers obtain the MySQL credentials, they can access, modify, or exfiltrate sensitive data stored within the database, including user accounts, content management data, and potentially other system configurations. The exposure of database credentials through error logs creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the vulnerability is patched or the error logging mechanism is properly secured, making it particularly dangerous for systems with active database operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7251 require immediate implementation of several security controls to address the information disclosure vulnerability. Organizations should first disable or restrict access to the error log URI endpoint through web server configuration, ensuring that error logs are not accessible via direct web requests. Additionally, implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information from being logged or stored in accessible locations is crucial. The recommended approach includes configuring the web server to deny access to log files, implementing proper input validation to prevent error conditions from occurring, and ensuring that error messages do not contain database credentials or other sensitive information. Security measures should also include regular monitoring of access logs for attempts to access error files and implementing proper log rotation practices that prevent long-term exposure of sensitive data. These mitigations align with ATT&CK technique T1211, which addresses credential access through information discovery, and emphasize the importance of proper access control and information protection as outlined in security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53.