Look for hardcoded database passwords or the blowfish_secret passphrase used for cookie encryption. 3. Post-Authentication Exploitation
Common paths to check for phpMyAdmin include:
parameter to include session files where they have previously injected PHP code. Webshell via SQL Misconfiguration Into Outfile: If the MySQL user has
$cfg['Servers'][$i]['user'] = 'dbuser'; $cfg['Servers'][$i]['password'] = 'Sup3rS3cr3t'; phpmyadmin hacktricks
Before attempting any active exploitation, you must gather data about the target instance. Version Detection
Although modern phpMyAdmin requires tokens to mitigate this, weak configurations or older versions might be vulnerable to CSRF, allowing attackers to trick authenticated admins into executing SQL queries. 3. Advanced Exploitation Techniques (HackTricks Inspired)
To execute this attack, the absolute path of the web directory must be known (often leaked via phpMyAdmin error messages or PHP info pages). Look for hardcoded database passwords or the blowfish_secret
Ensure cfg['LoginCookieValidity'] is configured correctly to prevent CSRF.
is one of the most widely used web-based administration tools for MySQL and MariaDB databases . Because it often holds the "keys to the kingdom," it is a prime target for security auditors and attackers alike. This guide compiles essential methodologies, vectors, and techniques for auditing phpMyAdmin installations, drawing from industry-standard security resources like HackTricks. 1. Initial Reconnaissance and Fingerprinting
: Always test common defaults like root:root , root:admin , or root with no password. Some systems may also have anonymous login enabled. Webshell via SQL Misconfiguration Into Outfile: If the
Securing a phpMyAdmin instance requires a multi-layered approach.
: Ensure you are running the latest version to mitigate known RCE exploits like CVE-2018-12613 .
allowed for remote code execution via specially crafted table/database names that triggered issues in PHP's preg_replace Post-Exploitation Reading Files LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE LOAD_FILE() to read sensitive system files like /etc/passwd Privilege Escalation
Highly rated for being , and bundled with most hosting providers like cPanel. Security