CVE-2016-2562: phpMyAdmin Improper Input Validation
Summary
CVE-2016-2562: phpMyAdmin Improper Input Validation. Affects phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin versions >= 4.5, < 4.5.5.1. Fixed in 4.5.5.1. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- phpmyadmin · Debian:11
The same CVE-2016-2562 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
phpMyAdmin is a popular open-source tool for managing MySQL databases. It provides a web-based interface that allows users to perform various database management tasks. The vulnerability in question affects phpMyAdmin version 4.5.x before 4.5.5.1. This version of phpMyAdmin does not properly validate X.509 certificates from api.github.com SSL servers, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to spoof these servers and obtain sensitive information by using a crafted certificate.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the lack of X.509 certificate validation in the checkHTTP function of the libraries/Config.class.php file in phpMyAdmin. This allows attackers to intercept the communication between phpMyAdmin and api.github.com, posing as the legitimate server. By doing so, they can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information exchanged during the communication. This can include credentials, database contents, or any other data transmitted between the two entities. The impact of this vulnerability can be significant, as it compromises the confidentiality and integrity of the data being transmitted.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.5.5.1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin:4.5.5.1Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating phpMyAdmin is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround is to disable the use of the GitHub API in the phpMyAdmin configuration. This can be achieved by modifying the configuration file to remove or comment out any references to the GitHub API. However, this workaround may limit certain functionalities that rely on the GitHub API integration.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in phpMyAdmin version 4.5.x before 4.5.5.1 allows man-in-the-middle attackers to obtain sensitive information by spoofing api.github.com SSL servers. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is recommended to update phpMyAdmin to version 4.5.5.1 or later. Alternatively, a temporary workaround is available by disabling the use of the GitHub API in the phpMyAdmin configuration. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
phpMyAdmin is an open-source tool for managing MySQL databases. It provides a web-based interface that allows users to perform various database management tasks.
The vulnerability affects phpMyAdmin version 4.5.x before 4.5.5.1.
The vulnerability allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof api.github.com SSL servers and obtain sensitive information exchanged during the communication between phpMyAdmin and the server.
To fix this vulnerability, update phpMyAdmin to version 4.5.5.1 or later.
Yes, a temporary workaround is to disable the use of the GitHub API in the phpMyAdmin configuration.
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