CVE-2016-6628 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. An attacker may be able to trigger a user to download a specially crafted malicious SVG file. 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-2016-6628 represents a critical security flaw in phpMyAdmin that exposes users to potential file download attacks through maliciously crafted SVG files. This issue affects multiple version lines of the popular database management tool, specifically targeting versions 4.6.x before 4.6.4, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.x before 4.0.10.17. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of SVG file uploads and downloads, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to compromise user systems.
The technical flaw manifests when phpMyAdmin processes SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files without proper validation of their content structure and embedded elements. SVG files are inherently complex and can contain executable code through embedded JavaScript, external references, and other potentially dangerous elements. When users encounter these specially crafted SVG files through the phpMyAdmin interface, the application fails to properly sanitize the file content, allowing malicious code to be executed or downloaded. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because SVG files are commonly used for graphical representations and are often trusted by web browsers, making the attack more likely to succeed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to full system compromise through various attack vectors. An attacker could craft an SVG file that, when downloaded through phpMyAdmin, executes malicious JavaScript code in the user's browser context or triggers automatic downloads of additional malware. The vulnerability can be exploited through social engineering techniques where users are tricked into downloading what appears to be a legitimate database export or configuration file. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which addresses weaknesses in input validation that can lead to various security issues including code execution and data theft.
The attack surface is particularly dangerous in environments where phpMyAdmin is used for database management, as administrators and users often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The vulnerability can be leveraged to perform attacks such as cross-site scripting, data exfiltration, or even lateral movement within a network if the compromised system has additional access rights. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1190: Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059.007: Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it allows for the execution of malicious JavaScript code through crafted SVG files. The impact is amplified when considering that phpMyAdmin is frequently deployed in web hosting environments, making it a common target for attackers seeking to compromise web applications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of phpMyAdmin, implementing proper input validation for all file uploads, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious SVG file content. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing content security policies and restricting file upload capabilities to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper file validation and sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user-supplied content, and underscores the need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to maintain secure configurations.