CVE-2006-3301 in phpQLAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpQLAdmin 2.2.7 and earlier allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the domain parameter in (1) user_add.php or (2) unit_add.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3301 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpQLAdmin versions 2.2.7 and earlier. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's user management interfaces. The specific flaw manifests in two distinct files: user_add.php and unit_add.php, both of which process the domain parameter without proper security controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting malicious JavaScript code or HTML content through the domain parameter, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. This weakness allows threat actors to bypass the same-origin policy that protects web browsers from malicious code execution, creating a significant security risk for any organization utilizing vulnerable phpQLAdmin installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement. When attackers successfully inject malicious scripts through the domain parameter, they can establish persistent sessions, steal authentication tokens, or redirect users to malicious sites. The attack surface is particularly concerning because phpQLAdmin is typically used by database administrators who possess elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially devastating for database security. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers need only access to the web application to execute attacks, requiring no physical access or complex local exploitation techniques. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, specifically the use of malicious web content for initial access and privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-3301 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to phpQLAdmin version 2.2.8 or later, where the input validation issues have been resolved through proper parameter sanitization and output encoding. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation that filters or escapes special characters in all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like domain that are processed in sensitive contexts. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by restricting script execution and preventing unauthorized code injection. Security teams should also conduct regular code reviews focusing on input handling and output encoding practices, particularly in applications that process user data for database administration interfaces. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular penetration testing should be performed to validate that the implemented fixes are effective against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security controls in database administration tools that are frequently targeted by attackers due to their privileged access capabilities.