CVE-2016-6609 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. A specially crafted database name could be used to run arbitrary PHP commands through the array export feature. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.4), 4.4.x versions (prior to 4.4.15.8), and 4.0.x versions (prior to 4.0.10.17) are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6609 represents a critical command injection flaw within phpMyAdmin, a widely used web-based database management tool that serves as the de facto standard interface for managing mysql and mariadb databases. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the array export functionality, which allows attackers to manipulate database names in ways that can trigger unintended code execution. The flaw specifically affects multiple version streams of phpMyAdmin, including the 4.6.x series prior to 4.6.4, 4.4.x series prior to 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.x series prior to 4.0.10.17, indicating a prolonged period of exposure across several major releases. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because phpMyAdmin typically runs with elevated privileges when connected to database systems, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for database security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the array export feature, which is designed to export database structures and data in various formats including php arrays. When a specially crafted database name is provided, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before processing it through the export mechanism. This improper handling allows attackers to inject malicious PHP code that gets executed during the export process, effectively creating a remote code execution vector. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and specifically manifests as a command injection attack that leverages the array export functionality. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary PHP commands on the server hosting phpMyAdmin, potentially gaining full control over the database server and associated applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6609 extends far beyond simple data compromise, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing them to access sensitive database content, modify or delete data, install backdoors, or even pivot to other systems within the network. The attack surface is particularly broad since phpMyAdmin is commonly deployed in environments where it has direct access to production databases containing sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, financial records, and proprietary business information. This vulnerability also presents significant risk to organizations using phpMyAdmin in shared hosting environments or where it is accessible from untrusted networks, as the attack vector does not require authentication to the database itself, only access to the phpMyAdmin interface.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies focusing on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to patched versions of phpMyAdmin, specifically versions 4.0.10.17, 4.4.15.8, and 4.6.4 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization fixes. Network-level protections should include restricting access to phpMyAdmin interfaces through firewall rules and implementing strict access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the application. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns targeting this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1105 "Remote File Transfer" as exploitation techniques, while the broader category of T1190 "Exploit Public-Facing Application" applies to the overall attack pattern. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual export operations and suspicious database name patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, with logs from phpMyAdmin and web servers being crucial for forensic analysis and incident response activities.