CVE-2017-1000013 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyAdmin 4.0, 4.4, and 4.6 are vulnerable to an open redirect weakness
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000013 affects phpMyAdmin versions 4.0, 4.4, and 4.6, presenting an open redirect weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to redirect users to unauthorized websites. This flaw resides in the application's handling of redirect parameters within its web interface, creating a security risk that extends beyond simple phishing attempts. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to manipulate redirect URLs through crafted input parameters, potentially leading to user deception and credential harvesting. The impact is particularly concerning given phpMyAdmin's widespread deployment across web hosting environments and database management systems where it serves as a critical administrative interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of redirect URLs within phpMyAdmin's authentication and navigation mechanisms. When users attempt to access protected resources or perform certain administrative functions, the application processes redirect parameters without proper sanitization or domain validation. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to attacker-controlled domains. The flaw aligns with CWE-601 Open Redirect vulnerability classification, which specifically addresses situations where applications fail to validate redirect destinations, enabling attackers to redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including social engineering, email campaigns, or compromised web pages that direct users to maliciously crafted URLs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple user deception to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, malware distribution, and advanced persistent threat campaigns. Attackers can leverage this weakness to create convincing phishing pages that appear to be legitimate phpMyAdmin interfaces, tricking users into entering sensitive credentials or downloading malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects organizations using vulnerable phpMyAdmin versions in production environments, particularly those without proper network segmentation or additional security controls. The open redirect weakness can be combined with other attack techniques such as cross-site scripting or session hijacking to create more comprehensive compromise scenarios, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database administrators frequently interact with phpMyAdmin interfaces. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly attractive to attackers targeting administrative interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000013 should prioritize immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to versions that address the open redirect vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and URL sanitization measures within their web applications, ensuring that all redirect parameters are validated against a whitelist of trusted domains. Network security controls including web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The implementation of security headers such as Content Security Policy can help prevent unauthorized redirects and limit the effectiveness of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their web applications and database interfaces, particularly focusing on authentication mechanisms and redirect handling. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through social engineering and session management weaknesses, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both technical and human factors in the attack chain. Regular security awareness training for database administrators and system operators is essential to prevent successful exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be effectively mitigated through proper patch management and security configuration practices.