CVE-2020-37116: GUnet OpenEclass phpMyAdmin RCE Flaw

CVE-2020-37116 Overview

GUnet OpenEclass 1.7.3 includes phpMyAdmin 2.10.0.2 by default, which allows remote logins. Attackers with access to the platform can remotely access phpMyAdmin and, after uploading a shell, view the config.php file to obtain the MySQL password, leading to full database compromise. This vulnerability is classified as Improper Access Control (CWE-284).

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can leverage the exposed phpMyAdmin interface to upload malicious shells, extract database credentials from configuration files, and achieve complete database compromise including access to all user data, course materials, and administrative functions.

Affected Products

• GUnet OpenEclass 1.7.3
• phpMyAdmin 2.10.0.2 (bundled with OpenEclass)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE CVE-2020-37116 published to NVD
• 2026-02-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2020-37116

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insecure default configuration in GUnet OpenEclass 1.7.3, which bundles an outdated version of phpMyAdmin (2.10.0.2) that permits remote access without proper authentication restrictions. The attack chain involves multiple stages: first gaining access to the phpMyAdmin interface, then leveraging it to upload a web shell, and finally reading the config.php file to extract MySQL database credentials.

The exposure of phpMyAdmin to remote users creates a significant attack surface. Once an attacker can access this database management interface, they can manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or escalate their access by uploading malicious scripts through phpMyAdmin's SQL execution capabilities or import functionality.

Root Cause

The root cause is the inclusion of phpMyAdmin with insecure default settings that allow remote access. The OpenEclass platform fails to properly restrict access to the bundled phpMyAdmin installation, exposing it to any user who has access to the platform. Additionally, the config.php file containing database credentials is accessible to uploaded shell scripts, indicating insufficient file permission controls.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires low-privileged access to the OpenEclass platform. The attacker follows this exploitation path:

1. Access the OpenEclass platform with valid credentials (even low-privileged user accounts)
2. Navigate to the exposed phpMyAdmin interface at the predictable URL path
3. Upload a PHP web shell through phpMyAdmin's functionality
4. Execute the shell to read the contents of config.php
5. Extract MySQL database credentials from the configuration file
6. Connect to the MySQL database with administrative privileges

This attack requires no special tools and can be performed using standard web browser capabilities and basic SQL knowledge. The bundled phpMyAdmin version (2.10.0.2) is significantly outdated and contains multiple known security issues that facilitate this attack chain.

Detection Methods for CVE-2020-37116

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected access to phpMyAdmin directories in web server access logs
• Presence of unfamiliar PHP files in web-accessible directories, particularly shell scripts
• Unusual database queries or connections from non-standard sources
• Access attempts to config.php or similar configuration files from web requests

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server logs for requests to /phpMyAdmin/, /phpmyadmin/, or similar paths from unexpected IP addresses
• Implement file integrity monitoring on the OpenEclass installation directory to detect newly uploaded files
• Review database connection logs for connections originating from the web server with unusual query patterns
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect common web shell signatures and SQL injection patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on the web server and MySQL database to capture access patterns
• Set up alerts for new file creation in web-accessible directories
• Monitor outbound connections from the web server that may indicate data exfiltration
• Implement regular security scans of the OpenEclass installation to detect unauthorized modifications

How to Mitigate CVE-2020-37116

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade OpenEclass to the latest available version that addresses this security configuration issue
• Remove or restrict access to the bundled phpMyAdmin installation immediately
• Review and restrict file permissions on config.php to prevent web-accessible reads
• Audit user accounts and access logs for signs of compromise or unauthorized access

Patch Information

Administrators should consult the Open eClass Changes Log for version-specific remediation guidance. The Open eClass Official Site provides the latest secure releases. For detailed technical analysis of this vulnerability, refer to the VulnCheck Advisory on Open eClass and Exploit-DB #48163.

Workarounds

• Block access to phpMyAdmin directories using web server configuration (Apache .htaccess or Nginx location blocks)
• Implement IP-based access restrictions to limit phpMyAdmin access to trusted administrative networks only
• Remove the phpMyAdmin directory entirely if database management is not required through the web interface
• Move sensitive configuration files outside the web root or implement additional access controls

# Apache configuration to restrict phpMyAdmin access
# Add to .htaccess in phpMyAdmin directory or Apache config
<Directory /path/to/openeclass/phpMyAdmin>
    Order Deny,Allow
    Deny from all
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24  # Replace with trusted admin network
</Directory>

# Alternative: Remove phpMyAdmin entirely
# rm -rf /path/to/openeclass/phpMyAdmin