Verify if ( /phpmyadmin/setup/index.php ) are still accessible, as they can sometimes be misconfigured to allow unauthorized access. Quick Verification Checklist Wordpress - HackTricks
Use directory brute-forcing tools (like Gobuster, Feroxbuster, or Dirbuster) to locate hidden or misconfigured setups. Look for common installation paths: /phpmyadmin/ /pma/ /admin/phpmyadmin/ /mysql/ /dbadmin/ 2. Exploiting Weak Authentication
SELECT '' INTO OUTFILE '/var/www/html/shell.php'; Use code with caution.
Pentesting phpMyAdmin: A Comprehensive Security Assessment Guide phpmyadmin hacktricks verified
Once authenticated (either as root or a user with elevated privileges), your main goal is executing system commands.
Many setups, especially in development environments, neglect to change default database credentials. Try logging in with: root | Password: (blank) Username: root | Password: root Username: pma | Password: (blank) Config File Exposure
Maya spun up a container and reconstructed the vulnerable phpMyAdmin version and the flawed filter. The payload executed exactly as the logs had suggested — a malformed parameter slipped into a poorly sanitized query and the delete command executed with the privileges of a forgotten admin. She watched the sanitized version of the nonprofit’s database in the sandbox, then wrote a scripted rollback that would piece back rows from unindexed fragments in the binary log and reconstruct the donor transfer record with timestamps kept intact. Verify if ( /phpmyadmin/setup/index
If the MySQL server runs as a high-privilege user (like root or SYSTEM on Windows), an authenticated user can load custom shared libraries ( .so or .dll files) into the MySQL plugin directory to execute system commands through custom SQL functions. Reading System Files
To prevent these hacktricks from being successful, follow these best practices:
In some misconfigured environments, a "config" auth type might be used where the credentials are hardcoded. If you find a way to read config.inc.php (via Local File Inclusion), you gain instant access. 3. Post-Auth Exploitation: From SQL to RCE Exploiting Weak Authentication SELECT ' ' INTO OUTFILE
To mitigate these verified risks, administrators must:
Based on documented penetration testing techniques, several key vectors define the phpMyAdmin attack surface:
