CVE-2016-2043 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the goToFinish1NF function in js/normalization.js in phpMyAdmin 4.4.x before 4.4.15.3 and 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a table name to the normalization page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2043 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within phpMyAdmin's normalization functionality. This security weakness exists in the goToFinish1NF function located in the js/normalization.js file, affecting versions 4.4.x prior to 4.4.15.3 and 4.5.x prior to 4.5.4. The vulnerability specifically targets the normalization page where users can perform database table normalization operations, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML content within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the JavaScript code responsible for handling table names during the normalization process. When authenticated users navigate to the normalization page and provide table names containing malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize this input before rendering it in the web interface. This improper handling allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser context, leveraging the authenticated session privileges to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability is classified as a client-side attack vector under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2043 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to exploit the trust relationship between authenticated users and the phpMyAdmin interface. An attacker with valid credentials can craft malicious table names that, when processed by the vulnerable normalization function, execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the user's browser. This capability allows for session hijacking, data theft, modification of database content, and potential lateral movement within the application environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that any user with legitimate database access privileges could potentially exploit this weakness to compromise other users or gain elevated privileges within the database management system.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through malicious input. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign input fields in administrative interfaces can become attack vectors when proper sanitization measures are absent. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin versions to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the number of authenticated users within the system. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at both client and server levels, along with regular security assessments of web application interfaces, can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar vulnerabilities being present in other components of database management systems. The remediation approach should include not only applying the official patches but also conducting comprehensive security reviews of all JavaScript functions that handle user-provided data to ensure similar sanitization practices are implemented across the entire application codebase.