CVE-2016-5701 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
setup/frames/index.inc.php in phpMyAdmin 4.0.10.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.15.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 allows remote attackers to conduct BBCode injection attacks against HTTP sessions via a crafted URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5701 represents a critical security flaw in phpMyAdmin versions prior to specific patch releases, exposing applications to remote code execution risks through BBCode injection techniques. This vulnerability specifically affects the setup/frames/index.inc.php component within the phpMyAdmin framework, which handles session management and user interface rendering for database administration tasks. The flaw exists in versions 4.0.10.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.15.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3, making a substantial portion of the phpMyAdmin user base susceptible to exploitation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of URI parameters that are processed during session initialization and frame rendering operations, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject BBCode elements that can be executed within the context of HTTP sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied URI data that gets processed through the frames/index.inc.php script without adequate sanitization measures. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious URI containing BBCode elements, these elements are parsed and rendered within the session context, potentially allowing for session hijacking, cross-site scripting attacks, or more severe exploitation techniques. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring authentication or specialized tools, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible phpMyAdmin installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaws, and also relates to CWE-20, which covers Improper Input Validation, both of which are fundamental security weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5701 extends beyond simple data corruption or session manipulation, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive database information and administrative controls. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to database servers, extract confidential information, modify database contents, or even escalate privileges within the database environment. The risk is particularly elevated in shared hosting environments or when phpMyAdmin is deployed without proper network segmentation, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to move laterally within the network infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the integrity of HTTP sessions, potentially allowing for session fixation attacks where attackers can establish persistent access to administrative interfaces. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and exfiltrate data through compromised sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5701 require immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to the latest secure versions, specifically upgrading to 4.0.10.16, 4.4.15.7, or 4.6.3 respectively. Organizations should implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious URI patterns, particularly those containing BBCode injection attempts. Additionally, security configurations should enforce strict input validation at all application entry points, and administrators should consider disabling unnecessary features or components within phpMyAdmin that may contribute to the attack surface. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other web applications, while network monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous URI patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive security monitoring solutions that can detect and respond to exploitation attempts in real-time.