CVE-2016-2045 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SQL editor in phpMyAdmin 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a SQL query that triggers JSON data in a response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2045 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SQL editor component of phpMyAdmin version 4.5.x prior to 4.5.4. This security weakness specifically affects authenticated users who can execute SQL queries through the web interface, creating a potential vector for malicious code injection that could compromise user sessions and data integrity. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's response handling for JSON data structures, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users access the database management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when a user submits a SQL query that returns JSON formatted data to the browser interface. The phpMyAdmin application fails to properly sanitize or encode the JSON response content before rendering it in the browser context, allowing malicious payloads to be executed within the victim's browser session. This flaw specifically impacts the SQL editor's ability to handle and display JSON results, where user-controlled input can contain script tags or other malicious code that gets executed when the response is rendered in the web browser. The vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS issue under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers credential access through spearphishing attachments and links.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as authenticated users with database access can leverage this flaw to perform session hijacking attacks, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can craft SQL queries that return JSON data containing malicious JavaScript code, which then executes in the context of other users' sessions, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using phpMyAdmin in shared hosting environments or enterprise settings where multiple database administrators have access to the web interface, as a single compromised account could provide attackers with access to multiple user sessions. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where phpMyAdmin is accessible from untrusted networks or where users maintain persistent sessions without proper session management controls.
Organizations should immediately implement the patch released by phpMyAdmin version 4.5.4 which addresses the input validation and output encoding issues in the SQL editor's JSON response handling. Security measures should include implementing proper content security policies to prevent script execution, establishing strict input validation for all SQL query inputs, and configuring web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious JSON response patterns. Additionally, administrators should enforce principle of least privilege by limiting access to the SQL editor functionality and implementing session timeout mechanisms to reduce the window of opportunity for exploitation. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of web applications, monitoring for anomalous SQL query patterns, and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes to ensure timely patch deployment across all affected systems.