CVE-2016-6610 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
A full path disclosure vulnerability was discovered in phpMyAdmin where a user can trigger a particular error in the export mechanism to discover the full path of phpMyAdmin on the disk. 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 • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6610 represents a critical full path disclosure issue within phpMyAdmin, a widely used web-based database management tool that facilitates administration of mysql databases through a graphical interface. This flaw allows attackers to obtain sensitive information about the server's file system structure by exploiting a specific error condition within the export functionality. The vulnerability affects multiple major release branches of phpMyAdmin, including versions 4.6.x prior to 4.6.4, 4.4.x prior to 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.10.17, indicating a widespread impact across the software's version history. The issue stems from insufficient error handling in the export mechanism, where specific user-triggered conditions cause the application to reveal complete file paths through error messages. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-209 classification as a "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 which involves exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities. The exposure of absolute paths provides attackers with crucial reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for subsequent attacks, including path traversal exploits and privilege escalation attempts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when users interact with the export feature of phpMyAdmin in a manner that triggers specific error conditions within the application's code execution flow. During the export process, certain parameter combinations or malformed inputs cause the system to generate error messages that inadvertently include the full server path where phpMyAdmin is installed. This occurs because the application's error handling routine does not sanitize or filter the error output before displaying it to users, allowing the complete file path to be disclosed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction to trigger and can be exploited through automated scanning tools. Attackers can leverage this information to understand the server's directory structure, potentially identifying other applications or sensitive files that may exist in adjacent directories. The path disclosure can also aid in bypassing security controls, as attackers may discover configuration files or other system resources that contain authentication credentials or other sensitive data.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6610 extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within affected environments. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they gain knowledge of the server's file system layout which can be used to plan subsequent exploitation attempts. The disclosed paths may reveal the exact installation location of phpMyAdmin, potentially exposing the presence of other applications or services running on the same server. This information can be particularly valuable when combined with other reconnaissance techniques, as it allows attackers to target specific directories or files that may contain sensitive information. Additionally, the vulnerability can be exploited in conjunction with other weaknesses, such as path traversal flaws or local file inclusion vulnerabilities, where knowledge of the absolute path is required to successfully execute attacks. Organizations running affected versions of phpMyAdmin face significant risk, as this vulnerability can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the server configuration. The impact is particularly severe in environments where phpMyAdmin is installed in non-standard locations or where the application has elevated privileges on the server.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to patched versions of phpMyAdmin, specifically versions 4.6.4, 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.10.17 respectively, which contain fixes for the path disclosure issue. Administrators should also review their server configurations to ensure that error messages are properly sanitized and that detailed error information is not exposed to end users. Implementing proper input validation and output filtering mechanisms within the application can help prevent the vulnerability from being exploited through malformed inputs. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious requests attempting to trigger the vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly those targeting the export functionality. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potential path disclosure issues within the application or server environment. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper error handling and information security practices in web applications, as even seemingly minor flaws can provide attackers with critical information needed for more serious exploits.