CVE-2004-2631 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Eval injection vulnerability in left.php in phpMyAdmin 2.5.1 up to 2.5.7, when LeftFrameLight is FALSE, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted table name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The CVE-2004-2631 vulnerability represents a critical server-side evaluation injection flaw discovered in phpMyAdmin versions 2.5.1 through 2.5.7. This vulnerability specifically affects the left.php script within the application's interface when the LeftFrameLight configuration parameter is set to FALSE. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data when processing table names within the database management interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted table name that contains malicious PHP code within its identifier. When phpMyAdmin processes this malformed table name in the left.php script, the application performs an evaluation of the input data without adequate security controls, effectively executing arbitrary PHP code on the server. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and specifically represents a code injection attack vector that bypasses normal input validation procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides remote attackers with complete command execution capabilities on the affected server. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to the database server, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute code with the privileges of the web server process, which often has elevated permissions to access database resources and system files.
The attack scenario typically involves an authenticated user or attacker who can manipulate table names within the phpMyAdmin interface. Since the vulnerability is present in the left.php script and requires LeftFrameLight to be set to FALSE, attackers must navigate the application's interface to reach the vulnerable code path. This vulnerability is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1566.001 for "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment" when considering how attackers might initially gain access to the vulnerable system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-2631 include immediate patching of phpMyAdmin to versions 2.5.8 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization of user-supplied table names. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to phpMyAdmin interfaces and ensure that only authorized users can access the application. Additionally, disabling the LeftFrameLight parameter when possible and implementing proper input validation at all application layers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper parameter validation in web applications, particularly when handling user input that may be processed through server-side evaluation functions.