CVE-2023-1753 in phpmyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 03/31/2023
Weak Password Requirements in GitHub repository thorsten/phpmyfaq prior to 3.1.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1753 represents a critical weakness in the thorsten/phpmyfaq GitHub repository software affecting versions prior to 3.1.12. This issue stems from insufficient password strength requirements within the application's authentication framework, creating a significant security risk for users who rely on this open-source solution for database management and content administration. The vulnerability directly impacts the system's ability to enforce robust authentication controls, potentially allowing unauthorized access through weak credential exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's password validation mechanisms which fail to enforce minimum complexity requirements such as minimum length, character variety, and resistance to common password patterns. This weakness falls under the category of weak authentication controls and can be classified as CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where the system does not adequately validate password strength during user account creation or modification processes. The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit predictable password patterns and simple credentials that do not meet industry-standard security thresholds.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be leveraged for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and system compromise. Attackers can systematically test common passwords, dictionary words, and simple patterns to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions and sensitive database content. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Credential Stuffing, where weak password policies enable automated attacks to succeed. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where phpmyfaq is used for managing critical database content and where administrative access provides extensive system privileges.
Organizations utilizing this software must implement immediate remediation measures including upgrading to version 3.1.12 or later, which incorporates strengthened password validation controls. Additional mitigations should include enforcing password complexity policies at the system level, implementing account lockout mechanisms after failed authentication attempts, and conducting comprehensive password audits of existing user accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of adhering to security best practices in open-source software development and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party components. Compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-63B and ISO/IEC 27001 requires robust authentication mechanisms that prevent weak credential exploitation and maintain the integrity of access controls within database management systems.