CVE-2016-2040 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.13, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.3, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a (1) table name, (2) SET value, (3) search query, or (4) hostname in a Location header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The CVE-2016-2040 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of phpMyAdmin, a widely used web-based database management tool. This vulnerability exists in the authentication and input validation mechanisms of phpMyAdmin versions 4.0.x before 4.0.10.13, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.3, and 4.5.x before 4.5.4, creating a significant security risk for database administrators and web application developers who rely on this tool for database management tasks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input across multiple parameters including table names, SET values, search queries, and hostnames within Location headers, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that are directly incorporated into web responses without proper output encoding or validation. When authenticated users interact with phpMyAdmin, the application fails to adequately sanitize data entered into table names, SET statement values, search queries, or hostname fields within Location headers. This lack of input sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed when other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the Location header processing mechanism, which is commonly used for HTTP redirects and can be manipulated to inject malicious content that persists in the user's browser session. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and represents a classic case of insufficient output escaping in web applications. The attack vector requires only authenticated access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2040 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the database environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts through these vectors, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate web interface but also creates potential for further exploitation within the database environment, as the injected scripts can access the database through the authenticated session. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and can be leveraged for privilege escalation through techniques such as T1548.1 for abuse of privileges. The presence of this vulnerability in widely deployed versions of phpMyAdmin means that numerous database management systems across different organizations and industries could be exposed to attack, potentially compromising sensitive database information and user credentials.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions of phpMyAdmin, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their database management environments. The most effective immediate fix involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin versions 4.0.10.13, 4.4.15.3, or 4.5.4, which contain the necessary input validation patches. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms, restrict access to phpMyAdmin through network segmentation, and monitor for suspicious activity in database management sessions. Security teams should also consider implementing security controls such as content security policies to prevent script execution and establish network-level monitoring for unusual Location header patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of database management interfaces that are frequently targeted by attackers due to their privileged access capabilities.