Description
An issue was discovered in phpMyAdmin involving the %u username replacement functionality of the SaveDir and UploadDir features. When the username substitution is configured, a specially-crafted user name can be used to circumvent restrictions to traverse the file system. 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) are affected.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | phpmyadmin | 4:4.6.4+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | phpmyadmin | 4:4.6.4+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | phpmyadmin | 4:4.6.4+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | phpmyadmin | 4:4.2.12-2+deb8u3 | DLA-1415-1 |
| Debian 7 | phpmyadmin | 4:3.4.11.1-2+deb7u6 | DLA-626-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | phpmyadmin | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | phpmyadmin | No fix yet | — |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | phpMyAdmin | 4.6.5.2-1.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:10054-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.2 | phpmyadmin | 4.4.15.8-r0 | — |
Advisories 3
- DLA-626-1 phpmyadmin - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1415-1 phpmyadmin - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:10054-1 phpMyAdmin-4.6.5.2-1.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://www.phpmyadmin.net/security/PMASA-2016-37
- [debian-lts-announce] 20180706 [SECURITY] [DLA 1415-1] phpmyadmin security update mailing-list
- 94366 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201701-32 vendor-advisory