CVE-2016-4855 in ADOdb
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in ADOdb versions prior to 5.20.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2024
The CVE-2016-4855 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the ADOdb database abstraction library, affecting versions prior to 5.20.6. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. ADOdb is a widely used PHP database abstraction layer that simplifies database operations across different database systems, making it a common target for attackers seeking to exploit web applications that rely on this library. The vulnerability manifests in the library's handling of user-supplied input during database query operations, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious scripts to be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the library's improper handling of data that flows from database queries back to web browsers. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses the normal sanitization processes within ADOdb, allowing arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code to be injected into web pages. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the library could be exploited, potentially including various database query methods, result set handling functions, or parameter binding mechanisms. This broad attack surface makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it may be exploitable through different code paths depending on how applications utilize the library.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4855 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within users' browsers. This can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and the execution of malicious payloads that persist across user sessions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where ADOdb is used extensively across multiple applications, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire web application ecosystems. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access, making it accessible to attackers anywhere on the internet. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through malicious web content and T1059.007 for script-based attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through upgrading to ADOdb version 5.20.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS flaws. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms at the application level can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications using affected versions of ADOdb and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party libraries updated and maintaining proper security hygiene in web application development practices.