CVE-2016-9862 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. With a crafted login request it is possible to inject BBCode in the login page. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.5) are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9862 represents a significant security flaw in phpMyAdmin version 4.6.x, specifically affecting releases prior to 4.6.5. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the authentication mechanism, creating a potential vector for malicious code injection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it targets the login page itself, which serves as the primary entry point for administrative access to database systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted login requests that successfully inject BBCode markup into the authentication interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of user input fields during the login process. When phpMyAdmin processes authentication requests, it fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in the login page context. This allows an attacker to inject BBCode tags that can be executed within the browser environment, potentially leading to cross-site scripting attacks or other malicious behaviors. The flaw specifically affects the 4.6.x release line, indicating that the developers had not yet implemented adequate input validation measures to prevent such injection attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9862 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. While the vulnerability primarily enables BBCode injection, it represents a broader class of input validation failures that could potentially be leveraged for more severe exploits. The affected versions include all 4.6.x releases before 4.6.5, suggesting that this was a regression or oversight in the development cycle that was subsequently addressed. Organizations using vulnerable phpMyAdmin installations face risks including potential session hijacking, unauthorized access to database systems, and the possibility of escalating privileges through further exploitation of the injection vector.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a variant of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which encompasses various forms of cross-site scripting and injection attacks. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it targets a commonly exposed web interface that provides access to critical database infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate remediation measures by upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 4.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent BBCode injection in authentication contexts. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of login attempts should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should conduct thorough assessments of their database access controls and authentication mechanisms to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.