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CVE-2026-96633 - AdminNeo Arbitrary File Deletion Vulnerability

CVE ID :CVE-2026-96633
Published : Oct. 30, 2026, 10:52 p.m. | 4 hours, 31 minutes ago
Description :## Summary AdminNeo allows an authenticated SQLite-mode user to delete arbitrary files writable by the PHP process through the database-list drop action. The SQLite driver validates file extensions when creating or renaming databases, but the database-list drop path passes submitted `db[]` values directly to `unlink()`. Originally reported by @slpoiuewalspoid-dotcom in Adminer: https://github.com/vrana/adminer/security/advisories/GHSA-6pg3-chwq-wgqc ## Impact An authenticated AdminNeo SQLite user with a valid CSRF token can submit an arbitrary relative file path in the database-list `db[]` field. If the PHP process can delete that path, AdminNeo unlinks it even when the file is not a SQLite database. ## Root Cause The database-list page accepts selected database names from the POST body and calls `drop_databases()`: ```php if ($_POST["db"]) { queries_redirect(substr(ME, 0, -1), lang('Databases have been dropped.'), drop_databases($_POST["db"])); } ``` In SQLite mode, `drop_databases()` attaches an in-memory database and unlinks each submitted path directly: ```php function drop_databases($databases): bool { Connection::get()->close(); // to unlock file, doesn't work in PDO on Windows foreach ($databases as $db) { if (!@unlink($db)) { Connection::get()->setError(lang('File exists.')); return false; } } return true; } ``` The same SQLite driver protects create and rename operations with `check_sqlite_name()`, which requires a `.db`, `.sdb`, or `.sqlite` extension: ```php function check_sqlite_name($name) { // avoid creating PHP files on unsecured servers $extensions = "db|sdb|sqlite"; if (!preg_match("~^[^\\0]*\\.($extensions)\$~", $name)) { Connection::get()->setError(lang('Please use one of the extensions %s.', str_replace("|", ", ", $extensions))); return false; } return true; } ``` The drop path does not apply an equivalent extension check or bind the submitted path to a known listed SQLite database. ## POC ### 1. Start a complete AdminNeo application Build and start AdminNeo from the audited source using the official standalone Docker image shape. The validation image copies the audited source tree into `/var/www/html` and starts Nginx HTTP server. Log in through the SQLite entry point using a SQLite database path `poc.sqlite`. ### 2. Prepare a writable target file Place a non-database file under a location writable by the AdminNeo PHP process. The validation used: ``` /var/www/html/poc-delete-target.txt ``` The same directory also contained a SQLite database: ``` /var/www/html/poc.sqlite ``` ### 3. Submit the database-list drop request Use the authenticated session and live CSRF token, but submit the non-database path as the selected database: ```http POST /?sqlite=&username= HTTP/1.1 Host: Cookie: Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded db[]=/var/www/html/poc-delete-target.txt&all=&drop=Drop&token= ``` The request reaches `drop_databases($_POST["db"]),` and SQLite `drop_databases()` calls `unlink()` on the submitted non-database path. After the request, the `poc-delete-target.txt` was deleted. ## Suggested Fix Apply the same target validation used by SQLite create/rename before deleting database files. At minimum: - Reject paths whose basename does not end in `.db`, `.sdb`, or `.sqlite`. - Bind `db[]` values to databases returned by AdminNeo's database listing instead of trusting submitted paths. - Resolve paths before deletion and reject traversal outside the expected SQLite database directory. - Consider requiring the current selected database path for delete operations instead of accepting arbitrary submitted file paths.
Severity: 8.1 | HIGH
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Kenya Education Network CERT(KENET-CERT) is a Cybersecurity Emergency Response Team and Co-ordination Center operated by the National Research and Education Network of Kenya. KENET-CERT coordination center promotes awareness on cybersecurity incidences as well as coordinates and assists member institutions in responding effectively to cyber security threats and incidences. KENET-CERT works closely with Kenya's National CIRT coordination center (CIRT/CC) as a sector CIRT for the academic institutions. KENET promotes use of ICT in Teaching, Learning and Research in Higher Education Institutions in Kenya. KENET aims to interconnect all the Universities, Tertiary and Research Institutions in Kenya by setting up a cost effective and sustainable private network with high speed access to the global Internet. KENET also facilitates electronic communication among students and faculties in member institutions, share learning and teaching resources by collaboration in Research and Development of Educational content.