Phpmyadmin Hacktricks !!better!! Here

Use directory brute-forcing tools like Gobuster, Dirb, or ffuf to discover hidden phpMyAdmin endpoints.

If the phpMyAdmin instance is properly configured, it will require authentication. Attackers attempt to bypass or break this barrier using several methodologies. Default Credentials

Once authenticated, your objective shifts from database access to executing operating system commands (Remote Code Execution) or reading sensitive server files. 1. Arbitrary File Read and Write via SQL

index.php?target=db_sql.php%253f/../../../../../../../../etc/passwd 2.2. SQL Injection and Data Manipulation phpmyadmin hacktricks

-- Example UDF creation (Linux) CREATE FUNCTION sys_exec RETURNS INTEGER SONAME 'udf.so'; SELECT sys_exec('id > /tmp/output.txt');

: Locating the absolute webroot path is essential for many "getshell" techniques. 3. Exploitation Techniques (HackTricks Methodology) If authenticated, several paths can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) Sensitive Information Disclosure SELECT ... INTO OUTFILE

Direct SQL injection into the database is possible through vulnerable features. Use directory brute-forcing tools like Gobuster, Dirb, or

Ensure cfg['LoginCookieValidity'] is configured correctly to prevent CSRF.

Exploit Technique 2: Local File Inclusion (LFI) via CVE-2018-12613

You can brute-force login without triggering lockouts by using: /phpmyadmin/index.php?route=/database/... Use tools like Hydra or a custom Python script. SQL Injection and Data Manipulation -- Example UDF

https://target.com/phpmyadmin/ (version 4.8.1) Step 1: Found accessible via dirb . Step 2: Weak credentials admin:admin succeed. Step 3: Run SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'secure_file_priv' → empty value (good). Step 4: Write shell via INTO OUTFILE to /var/www/html/uploads/cmd.php . Step 5: Access https://target.com/uploads/cmd.php?cmd=id → uid=33(www-data) . Step 6: Read /etc/passwd , find another DB password, pivot to production server. Outcome: Full internal compromise.

Securing phpMyAdmin requires a defense-in-depth approach. Do not rely solely on a strong root password. 1. Implement Network-Level Access Control

: Several older versions of phpMyAdmin are vulnerable to LFI. For example, CVE-2018-12613

HackTricks notes that many admins leave default credentials, especially in development or forgotten instances. A simple root with no password often works. Alternatively, credentials might have been previously leaked via:

The most permissive authentication mode is config , where a fixed username and password are embedded in the server-side configuration file. This presents the database to anyone who can reach the URL — no login form, no challenge, and no audit trail. If you discover an instance using auth_type=config , you have immediate, full database access.