CVE-2016-6608: phpMyAdmin Cross-site Scripting (XSS)
Summary
CVE-2016-6608: phpMyAdmin Cross-site Scripting (XSS). Affects phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin versions >= 4.6, < 4.6.4. Fixed in 4.6.4. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- phpmyadmin · Alpine:v3.2
The same CVE-2016-6608 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 such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases, tables, and records. The tool is widely used by developers and administrators to interact with MySQL databases efficiently. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in phpMyAdmin that allows for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. This vulnerability affects all versions of phpMyAdmin 4.6.x prior to 4.6.4.
Vulnerability Detail
The XSS vulnerability in phpMyAdmin is triggered by specially crafted database names. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by creating databases with malicious names that contain malicious scripts. When a user with sufficient privileges views the list of databases or attempts to remove a partition, the malicious script gets executed in the user's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 6.1, indicating a moderate severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.6.4
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin:4.6.4Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, users can implement a workaround by sanitizing the database names manually. This involves checking and removing any potentially malicious characters or scripts from the database names before viewing or interacting with them in phpMyAdmin. However, this workaround is not recommended as it requires manual effort and may not provide complete protection against XSS attacks.
Conclusion
The XSS vulnerability in phpMyAdmin poses a moderate security risk to users. It is important to promptly upgrade to the latest version (4.6.4 or later) to mitigate the risk of XSS attacks. Regularly updating phpMyAdmin and following best practices for web application security are essential for maintaining a secure database management environment. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
phpMyAdmin is an open-source tool used for managing MySQL databases through a web-based interface. It simplifies tasks such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases, tables, and records.
Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. These scripts can be used to steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions, or deface websites.
The vulnerability is triggered by specially crafted database names. When a user with sufficient privileges views the list of databases or attempts to remove a partition, the malicious script embedded in the database name gets executed in the user's browser.
The XSS vulnerability in phpMyAdmin can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities. Attackers can exploit the vulnerability to steal sensitive information, manipulate databases, or perform actions on behalf of the affected user.
To protect your phpMyAdmin installation, it is recommended to upgrade to the latest version (4.6.4 or later) that includes patches for the XSS vulnerability. Regularly updating phpMyAdmin and keeping it up to date with the latest security patches is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.
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