CVE-2023-1886 in phpmyfaq
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
Authentication Bypass by Capture-replay in GitHub repository thorsten/phpmyfaq prior to 3.1.12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1886 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting the thorsten/phpmyfaq repository prior to version 3.1.12. This issue stems from inadequate session management and authentication controls that allow malicious actors to exploit a capture-replay attack vector to gain unauthorized access to protected administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of authentication tokens and session identifiers, creating a pathway for attackers to reuse captured authentication data without proper verification.
This authentication bypass vulnerability operates through a capture-replay attack pattern where an attacker intercepts legitimate authentication requests and subsequently replays them to establish unauthorized sessions. The flaw exists in the application's session validation mechanism, which fails to properly verify the authenticity of session tokens or implement adequate anti-replay protections. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, specifically addressing weaknesses in session management and authentication token validation. Attackers can exploit this by capturing valid authentication tokens from legitimate users or administrative sessions and then using these captured credentials to impersonate authorized users.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1886 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains administrative privileges within the phpMyFAQ application, enabling them to modify or delete database entries, access sensitive user information, alter configuration settings, and potentially use the compromised system as a foothold for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the entire application stack since phpMyFAQ serves as a database management interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise backend database systems. This authentication bypass creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended periods without detection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1886 require immediate implementation of proper session management controls and authentication token validation mechanisms. Organizations should upgrade to phpMyFAQ version 3.1.12 or later, which includes fixes addressing the session replay vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing proper session timeout mechanisms, utilizing secure random session identifiers, implementing CSRF tokens, and deploying network monitoring to detect unusual authentication patterns. The fix addresses the vulnerability through enhanced session validation that prevents the reuse of captured authentication tokens and implements proper anti-replay mechanisms. Security controls should align with the ATT&CK framework's T1078.004 technique for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as the vulnerability enables attackers to leverage legitimate authentication mechanisms for unauthorized access. Organizations must also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect session replay attempts and ensure that authentication tokens are properly invalidated after use.