CVE-2016-9854 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. By calling some scripts that are part of phpMyAdmin in an unexpected way, it is possible to trigger phpMyAdmin to display a PHP error message which contains the full path of the directory where phpMyAdmin is installed. During an execution timeout in the export functionality, the errors containing the full path of the directory of phpMyAdmin are written to the export file. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.5), and 4.4.x versions (prior to 4.4.15.9) are affected. This CVE is for the json_decode issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9854 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within phpMyAdmin, a widely used web-based database management tool. This issue stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the application's export functionality, specifically when processing json_decode operations during export timeouts. The vulnerability affects versions 4.4.x prior to 4.4.15.9 and 4.6.x prior to 4.6.5, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these outdated versions. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," where sensitive system information is inadvertently exposed through error responses.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when phpMyAdmin's export functionality encounters a timeout condition during processing. During such execution timeouts, the application generates PHP error messages containing the complete file system path where phpMyAdmin is installed. These error messages are subsequently written to the export file, effectively disclosing sensitive directory structure information to unauthorized parties. The json_decode issue specifically refers to how the application handles malformed JSON data during export operations, causing the underlying PHP engine to generate detailed error output that includes the absolute path. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data for planning further attacks against the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9854 extends beyond simple path disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical system information that can be leveraged in subsequent attack phases. The disclosed paths can reveal directory structures, potentially exposing the location of other sensitive files, configuration data, or system-specific information that could aid in privilege escalation or other advanced attack techniques. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) by providing attackers with information that can be used to refine their attack vectors. Organizations running affected versions of phpMyAdmin face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the disclosed information can be used to craft more sophisticated exploits or to identify other potential vulnerabilities within the system's file structure.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate upgrading to phpMyAdmin versions 4.4.15.9 or 4.6.5 and later, which contain patches addressing the improper error handling in the export functionality. System administrators should also implement proper error handling configurations to prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error messages, following security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for secure coding. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their phpMyAdmin installations to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities that could be exploited in combination with this flaw. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to ensure that all web applications remain protected against known vulnerabilities, as this type of information disclosure vulnerability can significantly weaken an organization's overall security posture.