CVE-2001-1060 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
phpMyAdmin 2.2.0rc3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by inserting them into (1) the strCopyTableOK argument in tbl_copy.php, or (2) the strRenameTableOK argument in tbl_rename.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-1060 represents a critical command injection flaw within phpMyAdmin version 2.2.0rc3 and earlier releases. This security issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web-based database management tool. The vulnerability specifically affects two key functions within phpMyAdmin's table management capabilities, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary system commands on the underlying server. The flaw manifests when attackers manipulate parameters passed to the tbl_copy.php and tbl_rename.php scripts, which are part of phpMyAdmin's core functionality for database table operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which categorizes command injection flaws as weaknesses that occur when a program constructs a system command using externally provided data without proper sanitization or validation. In the context of phpMyAdmin, the strCopyTableOK and strRenameTableOK parameters serve as entry points where attacker-controlled input directly influences server-side command execution. When these parameters contain malicious commands, the application fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into system commands, thereby enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of input validation failures and privilege escalation, as the web server typically runs with elevated permissions to interact with database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft or modification. Attackers exploiting this flaw can gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or prior authentication to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in publicly accessible web environments. The severity is compounded by the fact that phpMyAdmin was commonly deployed in production environments where it might be directly exposed to the internet, and the default installation often included administrative accounts with broad privileges. This vulnerability essentially transforms a legitimate database management tool into a potential attack vector for full system compromise, with implications for both confidentiality and integrity of the underlying data infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most direct solution involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 2.2.0rc4 or later, where the input validation issues have been addressed through proper sanitization of user-provided parameters. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct internet access to phpMyAdmin installations, utilizing firewall rules to restrict access to trusted IP ranges only. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary features, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly monitoring system logs for suspicious activity patterns. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can execute commands through the vulnerable interface, and T1566 Impersonation, since the attack leverages legitimate administrative tools to gain unauthorized access to system resources.