CVE-2018-7667 in Adminer
Summary
by MITRE
Adminer through 4.3.1 has SSRF via the server parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7667 affects Adminer versions through 4.3.1 and represents a server-side request forgery flaw that enables attackers to manipulate the server parameter. This vulnerability resides within the database management interface application that allows users to connect to various database systems through a web-based interface. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the server parameter that is used to determine which database server to connect to during the administrative operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input passed through the server parameter. This parameter is typically used to specify the target database server address or connection details, but due to inadequate validation mechanisms, an attacker can inject malicious values that cause the application to make unintended requests to internal or external systems. The vulnerability enables an attacker to potentially access internal network resources that would normally be protected by firewalls or network segmentation, as the application itself makes requests to these targets on behalf of the attacker. This represents a classic server-side request forgery scenario where the application acts as an unwitting proxy for malicious network requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure or unauthorized access. An attacker can leverage this flaw to perform reconnaissance of internal network services, potentially accessing databases or other systems that are not directly exposed to the internet. The vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass network security controls, access sensitive internal resources, or even escalate their privileges within the environment. The severity is particularly concerning because Adminer is commonly used in production environments for database administration, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to gain deeper access to organizational infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which describes server-side request forgery vulnerabilities that enable attackers to make arbitrary requests from the server.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7667 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used for network communications. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Adminer version 4.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to internal systems from the Adminer application server. The implementation of a web application firewall that can detect and block suspicious parameter values is also recommended. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring and logging for database connection attempts to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all external inputs and implementing proper access controls to prevent attackers from leveraging legitimate application functionality for malicious purposes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving server-side request forgery, which falls under the broader category of initial access and privilege escalation tactics that attackers use to expand their foothold within target environments.