CVE-2023-0790 in phpmyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2023
Uncaught Exception in GitHub repository thorsten/phpmyfaq prior to 3.1.11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-0790 represents a critical uncaught exception scenario within the thorsten/phpmyfaq repository, affecting versions prior to 3.1.11. This issue manifests when the application fails to properly handle exceptional conditions during runtime execution, leading to potential system instability and information disclosure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms that allow exceptions to propagate through the application stack without proper sanitization or logging, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's failure states.
This technical flaw falls under the category of improper error handling as classified by CWE-754, which specifically addresses weaknesses in error handling that can lead to unexpected program behavior and security implications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in a database management interface that typically handles sensitive information and user credentials. When an uncaught exception occurs, it can expose internal system details including file paths, configuration information, and potentially database connection parameters that should remain confidential.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-0790 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential data exposure and system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gather intelligence about the underlying system architecture, which aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1212 technique for exploitation of system information discovery. The unhandled exception can also lead to denial of service conditions where the application becomes unresponsive, disrupting legitimate user access to the phpmyfaq interface and potentially affecting database operations.
The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the application's defensive programming practices, specifically violating security principles related to robust error handling and information hiding. Organizations utilizing phpmyfaq versions prior to 3.1.11 face significant risk of exposure to attackers who can exploit the exception handling weakness to gain insights into the system's internal workings. The issue also represents a breakdown in the principle of least privilege, as the uncaught exception may inadvertently reveal information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. Proper implementation of try-catch blocks and comprehensive error logging would prevent this vulnerability from being exploitable.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-0790 require immediate patching of the affected phpmyfaq repository to version 3.1.11 or later, which includes proper exception handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive logging of all application exceptions to enable security monitoring and incident response capabilities. Additionally, regular security audits of application code should include review of error handling patterns to ensure that all potential exception scenarios are properly addressed. The remediation process should also involve configuration hardening to prevent information leakage through error messages, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security.