CVE-2016-5733 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors involving (1) a crafted table name that is mishandled during privilege checking in table_row.phtml, (2) a crafted mysqld log_bin directive that is mishandled in log_selector.phtml, (3) the Transformation implementation, (4) AJAX error handling in js/ajax.js, (5) the Designer implementation, (6) the charts implementation in js/tbl_chart.js, or (7) the zoom-search implementation in rows_zoom.phtml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-5733 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple versions of phpMyAdmin, a widely used web-based database administration tool. This vulnerability impacts versions 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this tool for database management. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within various components of the phpMyAdmin interface, allowing remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans multiple attack vectors within the phpMyAdmin application, each exploiting different points of failure in the input sanitization process. The first vector involves a crafted table name that is improperly handled during privilege checking in the table_row.phtml template, where user-supplied table names are not adequately escaped before being rendered in the browser. The second vector exploits the mysqld log_bin directive through log_selector.phtml, where configuration parameters are not properly sanitized before display. The Transformation implementation serves as another attack surface where data transformation specifications are not adequately validated, while the AJAX error handling in js/ajax.js fails to properly encode error messages before transmission. Additionally, the Designer implementation, charts implementation in js/tbl_chart.js, and zoom-search implementation in rows_zoom.phtml all present similar vulnerabilities where user-provided data is rendered without proper HTML escaping or JavaScript context encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive database credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. When exploited, these XSS vulnerabilities can allow attackers to manipulate database operations, access confidential information, and compromise the integrity of database management processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning because phpMyAdmin is frequently used in enterprise environments where database administrators have elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for organizational security. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as attackers can extract sensitive information through these XSS vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5733 should prioritize immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin versions to the latest secure releases, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities in the browser context. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of phpMyAdmin interfaces to untrusted networks. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications, and application-level firewalls should be deployed to monitor and filter suspicious requests targeting these XSS vectors. The remediation process should include comprehensive user education about the risks of clicking untrusted links and the importance of maintaining updated software versions, particularly for critical database administration tools that are frequently targeted by attackers due to their privileged access capabilities.