CVE-2016-5098 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in libraries/error_report.lib.php in phpMyAdmin before 4.6.2-prerelease allows remote attackers to determine the existence of arbitrary files by triggering an error.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5098 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to 4.6.2-prerelease and resides within the libraries/error_report.lib.php library file. This vulnerability represents a classic path traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to exploit the error reporting mechanism to determine whether specific files exist on the target system. The flaw occurs when the application processes error messages that contain file paths without proper sanitization or validation, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that reveal file system information through error responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the application's error handling routines to expose file system details. When phpMyAdmin encounters certain error conditions, it may include file paths in the error messages that are subsequently displayed to users. Attackers can manipulate input parameters to trigger these errors in a way that reveals information about the underlying file system structure, including the existence of specific files or directories. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal issues in software applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper input validation and output encoding in the error reporting subsystem, creating an information disclosure channel that can be exploited to map the target system's file structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5098 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can inform subsequent attacks. By determining the existence of specific files, attackers can identify sensitive system components, configuration files, or potentially vulnerable application modules. This reconnaissance capability significantly reduces the attack surface and enables more targeted exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, as it allows adversaries to gather information about file system structure and access patterns. Additionally, this weakness can serve as a precursor to more serious attacks such as local file inclusion or remote code execution, depending on the system configuration and file access permissions.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires implementing proper input validation and sanitization within the error reporting mechanisms. phpMyAdmin version 4.6.2-prerelease and later versions address this issue through improved error handling that prevents file path information from being exposed in error messages. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of phpMyAdmin and implementing additional security controls such as proper input filtering, output encoding, and secure error handling practices. Security measures should include configuring the application to avoid displaying detailed error messages to end users, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities in the error handling components. The fix demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in error reporting systems and the necessity of validating all user-supplied data before processing it through application functions that may expose system information.