Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2016-6633: An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. 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, designed to handle the administration of MySQL databases through a web interface. It allows users to perform various database operations such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases and tables, as well as executing SQL queries. The vulnerability in question affects specific versions of phpMyAdmin, making it susceptible to remote code execution attacks when certain PHP installations with the dbase extension are exploited.
Vulnerability Detail
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin that allows attackers to trigger a remote code execution attack against PHP installations running with the dbase extension. This vulnerability affects all versions of phpMyAdmin 4.6.x prior to 4.6.4, 4.4.x prior to 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.10.17. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive data, manipulation of database contents, and complete control over the affected server, leading to severe security breaches.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can disable the dbase extension in their PHP configuration until the package can be updated. This can be done by commenting out the line 'extension=dbase.so' in the php.ini file and restarting the web server.
Conclusion
In summary, the remote code execution vulnerability in phpMyAdmin versions 4.0.x poses a significant risk to users running affected installations. It is crucial to update to the latest patched version to mitigate this risk and protect sensitive data from potential attacks.
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FAQ
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 8.1, indicating a high severity level.
Affected versions include all 4.6.x versions prior to 4.6.4, 4.4.x versions prior to 4.4.15.8, and 4.0.x versions prior to 4.0.10.17.
If your installation is vulnerable, attackers could gain unauthorized access to your database, potentially leading to data theft, data loss, or complete server compromise.
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