CVE-2019-14246 in CentOS Web Panel
Summary
by MITRE
In CentOS-WebPanel.com (aka CWP) CentOS Web Panel 0.9.8.851, an insecure object reference allows an attacker to discover phpMyAdmin passwords (of any user in /etc/passwd) via an attacker account.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-14246 affects CentOS Web Panel version 0.9.8.851, a widely used web hosting control panel for managing CentOS servers. This critical security flaw represents an insecure object reference that exposes sensitive authentication credentials for phpMyAdmin users. The vulnerability specifically allows authenticated attackers with minimal privileges to bypass normal access controls and retrieve phpMyAdmin passwords for any user account present in the system's /etc/passwd file. This issue fundamentally undermines the authentication mechanisms that should protect database access credentials within the control panel environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and access control implementation within the CWP application's object reference handling. When an attacker with a valid account accesses certain administrative functions, the system fails to properly validate the requested object references, allowing unauthorized enumeration of phpMyAdmin user credentials. This insecure object reference vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized access to resources. The flaw operates by exploiting the lack of proper authorization checks when processing requests for phpMyAdmin configuration data, enabling attackers to traverse the object reference structure and extract password information for any system user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with comprehensive access to database credentials across the entire system. An attacker can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to multiple databases managed through phpMyAdmin, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and complete compromise of database environments. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of database access controls, as it allows attackers to escalate their privileges and access sensitive information stored in databases. This weakness particularly impacts web hosting environments where multiple users share the same control panel infrastructure, as the compromise of one user account can potentially expose credentials for all system users.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-14246 should focus on immediate patching of the affected CentOS Web Panel version to the latest secure release. System administrators must ensure that all instances of CWP are updated to versions that properly implement access controls and validate object references. Additionally, network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the control panel interface, and multi-factor authentication should be enabled where possible. The remediation process should include reviewing and hardening access controls for phpMyAdmin components, implementing proper input validation, and conducting regular security audits of control panel configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts of this vulnerability, aligning with defensive techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for credential access and privilege escalation tactics.