CVE-2016-9858 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. With a crafted request parameter value it is possible to initiate a denial of service attack in saved searches feature. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.5), 4.4.x versions (prior to 4.4.15.9), and 4.0.x versions (prior to 4.0.10.18) are affected.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9858 represents a denial of service weakness within phpMyAdmin's saved searches functionality that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This flaw specifically manifests when attackers craft malicious request parameter values that can trigger resource exhaustion or application instability within the affected versions of the database administration tool. The vulnerability affects multiple release branches including 4.6.x versions before 4.6.5, 4.4.x versions before 4.4.15.9, and 4.0.x versions before 4.0.10.18, indicating a widespread impact across the phpMyAdmin codebase that required immediate attention from security practitioners and system administrators.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of request parameters that are processed within the saved searches feature. When phpMyAdmin processes these crafted inputs, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize the data before using it in internal operations, leading to potential resource consumption issues that can result in application unresponsiveness or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-400, which specifically addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and represents a classic denial of service vector where attacker-controlled input leads to system resource exhaustion. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices that allow malicious users to manipulate application behavior in ways that were not anticipated by the original design.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9858 extends beyond simple service interruption as it can potentially allow attackers to consume significant system resources such as memory or CPU cycles, leading to cascading effects that may impact other services running on the same infrastructure. Organizations utilizing affected phpMyAdmin versions face the risk of unauthorized service disruption that could impact database administration capabilities and potentially affect business operations that depend on database management tools. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where phpMyAdmin serves as a critical interface for database administration, as it could be exploited to deny legitimate users access to their database management functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of phpMyAdmin where the input validation has been strengthened to properly handle malicious parameter values. System administrators should prioritize updating their phpMyAdmin installations to versions 4.6.5, 4.4.15.9, or 4.0.10.18 respectively, depending on their current version. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls and request filtering mechanisms can provide temporary protection while upgrades are being deployed. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques categorized under T1499, which covers "Network Denial of Service," and demonstrates how weaknesses in application input handling can be leveraged for service disruption attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and logging controls to detect anomalous request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.