CVE-2016-6615 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
XSS issues were discovered in phpMyAdmin. This affects navigation pane and database/table hiding feature (a specially-crafted database name can be used to trigger an XSS attack); the "Tracking" feature (a specially-crafted query can be used to trigger an XSS attack); and GIS visualization feature. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.4) and 4.4.x versions (prior to 4.4.15.8) are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-6615 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in phpMyAdmin that compromises the security of database management interfaces. This vulnerability affects multiple core features of the application including the navigation pane functionality, database and table hiding mechanisms, the tracking feature, and the GIS visualization capabilities. The attack vectors exploit improper input validation and output encoding in these components, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets versions 4.4.x prior to 4.4.15.8 and 4.6.x prior to 4.6.4, indicating a widespread impact across the phpMyAdmin codebase during these release cycles.
The technical exploitation occurs through specially crafted database names, queries, or visualization parameters that bypass input sanitization mechanisms. When these malicious inputs are processed and rendered in the user interface, they create XSS attack vectors that can be leveraged to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The navigation pane vulnerability allows attackers to inject scripts through database names that appear in the interface, while the tracking feature enables XSS through crafted SQL queries that get displayed in the application's output. The GIS visualization component presents another attack surface where specially formatted geographic data can trigger script execution. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates how insufficient output encoding in user-facing components creates persistent security weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can lead to complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within database management environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains the ability to execute arbitrary code in the context of authenticated users, potentially accessing sensitive database information, modifying data, or performing administrative actions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where phpMyAdmin is publicly accessible or where users maintain elevated privileges, as it can be exploited to compromise entire database systems. The widespread nature of affected versions means that organizations running these older releases face significant risk, especially in environments where database administration interfaces are directly exposed to untrusted users or where regular patching procedures are not implemented.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to versions 4.4.15.8 or 4.6.4 and higher, which contain the necessary input validation and output encoding fixes. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to limit script execution, restricting access to phpMyAdmin interfaces through network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious database naming patterns or query structures. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting these specific XSS vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date web application security practices and highlights how seemingly minor input validation gaps can create significant security risks in database management tools that serve as gateways to critical enterprise data assets.