BBCode Injection Vulnerability in phpMyAdmin Affects Versions Prior to 4.6.5
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2016-9862: An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. Affects phpmyadmin versions < 4.6.5.2-r0. Fixed in 4.6.5.2-r0. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
phpMyAdmin is a widely-used open-source tool for managing MySQL databases through a web interface. It allows users to perform various database operations such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases and tables, executing SQL queries, and managing user permissions. The tool is popular among developers and database administrators for its ease of use and comprehensive features. However, certain versions of phpMyAdmin are vulnerable to a BBCode injection issue, which can compromise the security of the login page.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin where a crafted login request could lead to BBCode injection on the login page. This vulnerability affects all versions in the 4.6.x series prior to 4.6.5. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access and manipulation of the login interface, which could lead to further exploitation of the application. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4.6.5.2-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade phpmyadmin
Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, consider implementing input validation on the login page to sanitize user inputs and prevent BBCode injection. This can help mitigate the risk until the package is updated. Additionally, restrict access to the phpMyAdmin interface to trusted IP addresses only.
Conclusion
The BBCode injection vulnerability in phpMyAdmin poses a significant risk to users of versions prior to 4.6.5. It is crucial to update to the latest patched version to ensure the security of your database management operations. Implementing workarounds can help mitigate risks until an update is feasible.
See every vulnerability recorded for phpmyadmin →
FAQ
BBCode injection is a type of attack where an attacker can inject BBCode markup into a web application, potentially altering the appearance or functionality of the application.
If you are using phpMyAdmin version 4.6.x prior to 4.6.5, your installation is vulnerable. You can check your version in the phpMyAdmin interface or by looking at the installed package version.
The consequences may include unauthorized access to the login page, potential data breaches, and exploitation of the application, leading to further security risks.
Yes, tools like Vulert can monitor your applications for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just a manifest file. You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using the Vulert playground.
If an immediate update is not possible, implement input validation and restrict access to the phpMyAdmin interface as temporary measures to reduce risk.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for phpmyadmin.