CSRF Vulnerability in phpMyAdmin: CVE-2016-5739
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2016-5739: The Transformation implementation in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not use the no-referrer Content Security Policy (CSP) protection mechanism, which makes it easier... Affects phpmyadmin versions 4:4.0.10-1 – 4:4.0.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
phpMyAdmin is a widely used open-source tool written in PHP, intended for managing MySQL databases through a web interface. It provides a user-friendly interface for database administration, allowing users to perform various tasks such as creating databases, executing SQL queries, and managing users. However, certain versions of phpMyAdmin are vulnerable to a CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) attack due to inadequate implementation of the Content Security Policy (CSP).
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5739 affects phpMyAdmin versions 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3. It arises from the Transformation implementation not utilizing the no-referrer CSP protection mechanism. This oversight allows remote attackers to exploit the vulnerability by reading authentication tokens from the Referer header, facilitating CSRF attacks. The potential ramifications include unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of authenticated users, leading to data breaches or unauthorized access.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can implement additional security measures such as validating the Referer header in their application logic or using anti-CSRF tokens in forms to mitigate the risk of CSRF attacks until the package is updated.
Conclusion
CVE-2016-5739 represents a significant security risk for users of vulnerable phpMyAdmin versions, allowing for potential CSRF attacks. It is crucial for users to update their installations to the latest patched versions to mitigate this risk. Additionally, temporary workarounds can be employed until the update is completed.
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FAQ
CVE-2016-5739 is a vulnerability in phpMyAdmin that allows attackers to perform CSRF attacks due to a lack of proper Content Security Policy implementation.
The affected versions include phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without requiring any signup.
The CVSS score of CVE-2016-5739 is 7.5, indicating a high severity level.
If an immediate update is not possible, consider implementing security measures such as validating the Referer header or using anti-CSRF tokens as a temporary workaround.
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