Vulnerabilities > CVE-2016-9849 - Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls vulnerability in PHPmyadmin

047910
CVSS 9.8 - CRITICAL
Attack vector
NETWORK
Attack complexity
LOW
Privileges required
NONE
Confidentiality impact
HIGH
Integrity impact
HIGH
Availability impact
HIGH
network
low complexity
phpmyadmin
CWE-264
critical
nessus
NVD
Published: 2016-12-11
Updated: 2024-11-21

Summary

An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin. It is possible to bypass AllowRoot restriction ($cfg['Servers'][$i]['AllowRoot']) and deny rules for username by using Null Byte in the username. All 4.6.x versions (prior to 4.6.5), 4.4.x versions (prior to 4.4.15.9), and 4.0.x versions (prior to 4.0.10.18) are affected.

Vulnerable Configurations

Part Description Count
Application
Phpmyadmin
63

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

  • Accessing, Modifying or Executing Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's configuration that allows an attacker to either directly access an executable file, for example through shell access; or in a possible worst case allows an attacker to upload a file and then execute it. Web servers, ftp servers, and message oriented middleware systems which have many integration points are particularly vulnerable, because both the programmers and the administrators must be in synch regarding the interfaces and the correct privileges for each interface.
  • Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
    An attack of this type exploits a system's trust in configuration and resource files, when the executable loads the resource (such as an image file or configuration file) the attacker has modified the file to either execute malicious code directly or manipulate the target process (e.g. application server) to execute based on the malicious configuration parameters. Since systems are increasingly interrelated mashing up resources from local and remote sources the possibility of this attack occurring is high. The attack can be directed at a client system, such as causing buffer overrun through loading seemingly benign image files, as in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-028 where specially crafted JPEG files could cause a buffer overrun once loaded into the browser. Another example targets clients reading pdf files. In this case the attacker simply appends javascript to the end of a legitimate url for a pdf (http://www.gnucitizen.org/blog/danger-danger-danger/) http://path/to/pdf/file.pdf#whatever_name_you_want=javascript:your_code_here The client assumes that they are reading a pdf, but the attacker has modified the resource and loaded executable javascript into the client's browser process. The attack can also target server processes. The attacker edits the resource or configuration file, for example a web.xml file used to configure security permissions for a J2EE app server, adding role name "public" grants all users with the public role the ability to use the administration functionality. The server trusts its configuration file to be correct, but when they are manipulated, the attacker gains full control.
  • Blue Boxing
    This type of attack against older telephone switches and trunks has been around for decades. A tone is sent by an adversary to impersonate a supervisor signal which has the effect of rerouting or usurping command of the line. While the US infrastructure proper may not contain widespread vulnerabilities to this type of attack, many companies are connected globally through call centers and business process outsourcing. These international systems may be operated in countries which have not upgraded Telco infrastructure and so are vulnerable to Blue boxing. Blue boxing is a result of failure on the part of the system to enforce strong authorization for administrative functions. While the infrastructure is different than standard current applications like web applications, there are historical lessons to be learned to upgrade the access control for administrative functions.
  • Restful Privilege Elevation
    Rest uses standard HTTP (Get, Put, Delete) style permissions methods, but these are not necessarily correlated generally with back end programs. Strict interpretation of HTTP get methods means that these HTTP Get services should not be used to delete information on the server, but there is no access control mechanism to back up this logic. This means that unless the services are properly ACL'd and the application's service implementation are following these guidelines then an HTTP request can easily execute a delete or update on the server side. The attacker identifies a HTTP Get URL such as http://victimsite/updateOrder, which calls out to a program to update orders on a database or other resource. The URL is not idempotent so the request can be submitted multiple times by the attacker, additionally, the attacker may be able to exploit the URL published as a Get method that actually performs updates (instead of merely retrieving data). This may result in malicious or inadvertent altering of data on the server.
  • Target Programs with Elevated Privileges
    This attack targets programs running with elevated privileges. The attacker would try to leverage a bug in the running program and get arbitrary code to execute with elevated privileges. For instance an attacker would look for programs that write to the system directories or registry keys (such as HKLM, which stores a number of critical Windows environment variables). These programs are typically running with elevated privileges and have usually not been designed with security in mind. Such programs are excellent exploit targets because they yield lots of power when they break. The malicious user try to execute its code at the same level as a privileged system call.

Nessus

  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DLA-757.NASL
    descriptionVarious security issues where found and fixed in phpmyadmin in wheezy. CVE-2016-4412 / PMASA-2016-57 A user can be tricked in following a link leading to phpMyAdmin, which after authentication redirects to another malicious site. CVE-2016-6626 / PMASA-2016-49 In the fix for PMASA-2016-57, we didn
    last seen2020-03-17
    modified2016-12-27
    plugin id96093
    published2016-12-27
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/96093
    titleDebian DLA-757-1 : phpmyadmin security update
    code
    #%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80502
#
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
# extracted from Debian Security Advisory DLA-757-1. The text
# itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(96093);
  script_version("3.4");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2020/03/12");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-4412", "CVE-2016-6626", "CVE-2016-9849", "CVE-2016-9850", "CVE-2016-9861", "CVE-2016-9864", "CVE-2016-9865");

  script_name(english:"Debian DLA-757-1 : phpmyadmin security update");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated package.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Various security issues where found and fixed in phpmyadmin in wheezy.

CVE-2016-4412 / PMASA-2016-57

A user can be tricked in following a link leading to phpMyAdmin, which
after authentication redirects to another malicious site.

CVE-2016-6626 / PMASA-2016-49

In the fix for PMASA-2016-57, we didn't have sufficient checking and
was possible to bypass whitelist.

CVE-2016-9849 / PMASA-2016-60

Username deny rules bypass (AllowRoot & Others) by using Null Byte.

CVE-2016-9850 / PMASA-2016-61

Username matching for the allow/deny rules may result in wrong matches
and detection of the username in the rule due to non-constant
execution time.

CVE-2016-9861 / PMASA-2016-66

In the fix for PMASA-2016-49, we has buggy checks and was possible to
bypass whitelist.

CVE-2016-9864 / PMASA-2016-69

Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities.

CVE-2016-9865 / PMASA-2016-70

Due to a bug in serialized string parsing, it was possible to bypass
the protection offered by PMA_safeUnserialize() function.

For Debian 7 'Wheezy', these problems have been fixed in version
4:3.4.11.1-2+deb7u7.

We recommend that you upgrade your phpmyadmin packages.

NOTE: Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description
block directly from the DLA security advisory. Tenable has attempted
to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without
introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2016/12/msg00036.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/wheezy/phpmyadmin"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:"Upgrade the affected phpmyadmin package."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:phpmyadmin");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:7.0");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2016/12/24");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2016/12/27");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2016-2020 Tenable Network Security, Inc.");
  script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("debian_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;
if (deb_check(release:"7.0", prefix:"phpmyadmin", reference:"4:3.4.11.1-2+deb7u7")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familyDebian Local Security Checks
    NASL idDEBIAN_DLA-1821.NASL
    descriptionMultiple security vulnerabilities were fixed in phpmyadmin, a MySQL web administration tool, which prevent possible SQL injection attacks, CSRF, the bypass of user restrictions, information disclosure or denial of service. For Debian 8
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id125957
    published2019-06-18
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2019-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/125957
    titleDebian DLA-1821-1 : phpmyadmin security update
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
# extracted from Debian Security Advisory DLA-1821-1. The text
# itself is copyright (C) Software in the Public Interest, Inc.
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(125957);
  script_version("1.4");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2020/01/10");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-6606", "CVE-2016-6607", "CVE-2016-6611", "CVE-2016-6612", "CVE-2016-6613", "CVE-2016-6624", "CVE-2016-6626", "CVE-2016-6627", "CVE-2016-6628", "CVE-2016-6630", "CVE-2016-6631", "CVE-2016-6632", "CVE-2016-9849", "CVE-2016-9850", "CVE-2016-9861", "CVE-2016-9864", "CVE-2019-12616");

  script_name(english:"Debian DLA-1821-1 : phpmyadmin security update");
  script_summary(english:"Checks dpkg output for the updated package.");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:"The remote Debian host is missing a security update."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"Multiple security vulnerabilities were fixed in phpmyadmin, a MySQL
web administration tool, which prevent possible SQL injection attacks,
CSRF, the bypass of user restrictions, information disclosure or
denial of service.

For Debian 8 'Jessie', these problems have been fixed in version
4:4.2.12-2+deb8u6.

We recommend that you upgrade your phpmyadmin packages.

NOTE: Tenable Network Security has extracted the preceding description
block directly from the DLA security advisory. Tenable has attempted
to automatically clean and format it as much as possible without
introducing additional issues."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/06/msg00009.html"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://packages.debian.org/source/jessie/phpmyadmin"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:"Upgrade the affected phpmyadmin package."
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:POC/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:P/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2016-6631");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:debian:debian_linux:phpmyadmin");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:debian:debian_linux:8.0");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2016/12/11");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2019/06/17");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2019/06/18");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"generated_plugin", value:"current");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2019-2020 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Debian Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Debian/release", "Host/Debian/dpkg-l");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("debian_package.inc");


if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Debian");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Debian/dpkg-l")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;
if (deb_check(release:"8.0", prefix:"phpmyadmin", reference:"4:4.2.12-2+deb8u6")) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:deb_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else audit(AUDIT_HOST_NOT, "affected");
  • NASL familyGentoo Local Security Checks
    NASL idGENTOO_GLSA-201701-32.NASL
    descriptionThe remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201701-32 (phpMyAdmin: Multiple vulnerabilities) Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in phpMyAdmin. Please review the CVE identifiers referenced below for details. Impact : A authenticated remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary PHP Code, inject SQL code, or to conduct Cross-Site Scripting attacks. In certain configurations, an unauthenticated remote attacker could cause a Denial of Service condition. Workaround : There is no known workaround at this time.
    last seen2020-06-01
    modified2020-06-02
    plugin id96426
    published2017-01-12
    reporterThis script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.
    sourcehttps://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/96426
    titleGLSA-201701-32 : phpMyAdmin: Multiple vulnerabilities
    code
    #
# (C) Tenable Network Security, Inc.
#
# The descriptive text and package checks in this plugin were
# extracted from Gentoo Linux Security Advisory GLSA 201701-32.
#
# The advisory text is Copyright (C) 2001-2018 Gentoo Foundation, Inc.
# and licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution / Share Alike 
# license. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#

include("compat.inc");

if (description)
{
  script_id(96426);
  script_version("3.3");
  script_cvs_date("Date: 2019/04/10 16:10:17");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2016-4412", "CVE-2016-5097", "CVE-2016-5098", "CVE-2016-5099", "CVE-2016-5701", "CVE-2016-5702", "CVE-2016-5703", "CVE-2016-5704", "CVE-2016-5705", "CVE-2016-5706", "CVE-2016-5730", "CVE-2016-5731", "CVE-2016-5732", "CVE-2016-5733", "CVE-2016-5734", "CVE-2016-5739", "CVE-2016-6606", "CVE-2016-6607", "CVE-2016-6608", "CVE-2016-6609", "CVE-2016-6610", "CVE-2016-6611", "CVE-2016-6612", "CVE-2016-6613", "CVE-2016-6614", "CVE-2016-6615", "CVE-2016-6616", "CVE-2016-6617", "CVE-2016-6618", "CVE-2016-6619", "CVE-2016-6620", "CVE-2016-6622", "CVE-2016-6623", "CVE-2016-6624", "CVE-2016-6625", "CVE-2016-6626", "CVE-2016-6627", "CVE-2016-6628", "CVE-2016-6629", "CVE-2016-6630", "CVE-2016-6631", "CVE-2016-6632", "CVE-2016-6633", "CVE-2016-9847", "CVE-2016-9848", "CVE-2016-9849", "CVE-2016-9850", "CVE-2016-9851", "CVE-2016-9852", "CVE-2016-9853", "CVE-2016-9854", "CVE-2016-9855", "CVE-2016-9856", "CVE-2016-9857", "CVE-2016-9858", "CVE-2016-9859", "CVE-2016-9860", "CVE-2016-9861", "CVE-2016-9862", "CVE-2016-9863", "CVE-2016-9864", "CVE-2016-9865", "CVE-2016-9866");
  script_xref(name:"GLSA", value:"201701-32");

  script_name(english:"GLSA-201701-32 : phpMyAdmin: Multiple vulnerabilities");
  script_summary(english:"Checks for updated package(s) in /var/db/pkg");

  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"synopsis", 
    value:
"The remote Gentoo host is missing one or more security-related
patches."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"description", 
    value:
"The remote host is affected by the vulnerability described in GLSA-201701-32
(phpMyAdmin: Multiple vulnerabilities)

    Multiple vulnerabilities have been discovered in phpMyAdmin. Please
      review the CVE identifiers referenced below for details.
  
Impact :

    A authenticated remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to
      execute arbitrary PHP Code, inject SQL code, or to conduct Cross-Site
      Scripting attacks.
    In certain configurations, an unauthenticated remote attacker could
      cause a Denial of Service condition.
  
Workaround :

    There is no known workaround at this time."
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"see_also",
    value:"https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201701-32"
  );
  script_set_attribute(
    attribute:"solution", 
    value:
"All phpMyAdmin users should upgrade to the latest version:
      # emerge --sync
      # emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose '>=dev-db/phpmyadmin-4.6.5.1'"
  );
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:F/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:F/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"Exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_core", value:"true");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"metasploit_name", value:'phpMyAdmin Authenticated Remote Code Execution');
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_framework_metasploit", value:"true");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"p-cpe:/a:gentoo:linux:phpmyadmin");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/o:gentoo:linux");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2017/01/11");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2017/01/12");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2017-2019 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");
  script_family(english:"Gentoo Local Security Checks");

  script_dependencies("ssh_get_info.nasl");
  script_require_keys("Host/local_checks_enabled", "Host/Gentoo/release", "Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list");

  exit(0);
}


include("audit.inc");
include("global_settings.inc");
include("qpkg.inc");

if (!get_kb_item("Host/local_checks_enabled")) audit(AUDIT_LOCAL_CHECKS_NOT_ENABLED);
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/release")) audit(AUDIT_OS_NOT, "Gentoo");
if (!get_kb_item("Host/Gentoo/qpkg-list")) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_LIST_MISSING);


flag = 0;

if (qpkg_check(package:"dev-db/phpmyadmin", unaffected:make_list("ge 4.6.5.1"), vulnerable:make_list("lt 4.6.5.1"))) flag++;

if (flag)
{
  if (report_verbosity > 0) security_hole(port:0, extra:qpkg_report_get());
  else security_hole(0);
  exit(0);
}
else
{
  tested = qpkg_tests_get();
  if (tested) audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_AFFECTED, tested);
  else audit(AUDIT_PACKAGE_NOT_INSTALLED, "phpMyAdmin");
}

References