CVE-2016-5097 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyAdmin before 4.6.2 places tokens in query strings and does not arrange for them to be stripped before external navigation, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading (1) HTTP requests or (2) server logs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5097 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to 4.6.2 and represents a significant information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of authentication tokens within URL query parameters. This vulnerability exposes sensitive session data through query strings that are not properly sanitized before external navigation occurs, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The flaw specifically manifests when phpMyAdmin generates tokens for session management and includes these tokens as part of the query string parameters in URLs used for navigation, particularly during operations involving external redirects or when users are directed to external resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's token management system where authentication tokens are embedded directly into the URL query string rather than being handled through secure session mechanisms or hidden form fields. When phpMyAdmin generates URLs for navigation purposes, it incorporates these tokens as query parameters, and the application fails to strip these tokens before performing external redirects or when external navigation occurs. This design flaw creates a situation where any attacker who can observe HTTP requests or server logs can extract these tokens and potentially use them to impersonate legitimate users or gain unauthorized access to database operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because tokens are typically used to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks and maintain session integrity, making their exposure a critical security concern.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, privilege escalation, and unauthorized database access. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by monitoring network traffic or accessing server log files where the query strings containing tokens are stored, thereby gaining access to valid session tokens that can be used to perform administrative operations on the database. This flaw undermines the fundamental security model of phpMyAdmin's authentication system and creates opportunities for attackers to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where phpMyAdmin is accessible from untrusted networks or where server logs are accessible to unauthorized parties, as these conditions provide multiple attack vectors for token extraction and subsequent exploitation.
The security implications of CVE-2016-5097 align with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential access through web application vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected versions of phpMyAdmin face significant risks as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output encoding practices that violate secure coding principles, particularly in the handling of sensitive data within URL parameters. Mitigation strategies must include immediate upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 4.6.2 or later, which implements proper token stripping mechanisms before external navigation. Additional defensive measures should include implementing proper URL sanitization, configuring web servers to log minimal information in accessible locations, and ensuring that sensitive data is never transmitted through URL query strings. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of URL parameter access, and regular security audits should verify that tokens are properly managed and not exposed through query strings or log files. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability.