CVE-2016-6617 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. A specially crafted database and/or table name can be used to trigger an SQL injection attack through the export functionality. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.4) are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6617 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within phpMyAdmin's export functionality that affects versions 4.6.x prior to 4.6.4. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization when processing database and table names during export operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands into the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically targets the export feature which allows users to generate database dumps in various formats including sql, csv, and xml, making it a significant attack surface for database administrators and security researchers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious database or table names containing specially formatted SQL injection payloads. When phpMyAdmin processes these names during export operations, the application fails to properly escape or sanitize the input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the database backend. This lack of proper input validation creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as SQL commands rather than simple identifiers, potentially allowing unauthorized access to database contents, privilege escalation, or even complete database compromise. The flaw falls under CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-6617 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the database server with the privileges of the database user account. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through the web interface without requiring direct database access, making it an attractive target for attackers who may not have direct system-level access. The widespread use of phpMyAdmin in web hosting environments and database management scenarios means that vulnerable systems could be compromised to extract sensitive information, modify database contents, or establish persistent access points. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, or even execute shell commands on the underlying server if the database user has sufficient permissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6617 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to phpMyAdmin 4.6.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all phpMyAdmin installations are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include restricting access to phpMyAdmin interfaces through network segmentation, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and monitoring export functionality for unusual patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in database management tools and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as attackers may use this vulnerability to establish persistent access or enumerate database structures before executing more sophisticated attacks. Regular security audits of database management interfaces and enforcement of least privilege principles for database users can significantly reduce the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.