CVE-2006-6942 in PhpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in PhpMyAdmin before 2.9.1.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML or web script via (1) a comment for a table name, as exploited through (a) db_operations.php, (2) the db parameter to (b) db_create.php, (3) the newname parameter to db_operations.php, the (4) query_history_latest, (5) query_history_latest_db, and (6) querydisplay_tab parameters to (c) querywindow.php, and (7) the pos parameter to (d) sql.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The CVE-2006-6942 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in PhpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.9.1.1, exposing multiple attack vectors that collectively undermine the security of database administration interfaces. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically targeting the web application's input validation mechanisms. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code through various parameters within the PhpMyAdmin interface, creating persistent security risks for database administrators who rely on this tool for managing MySQL databases.
The technical exploitation occurs through several distinct entry points within the PhpMyAdmin application framework. Attackers can leverage the comment field for table names in db_operations.php to inject malicious scripts, or manipulate the db parameter in db_create.php to execute cross-site scripting attacks. Additional vulnerable parameters include the newname parameter in db_operations.php, which allows attackers to inject scripts during database renaming operations. The querywindow.php file contains three vulnerable parameters: query_history_latest, query_history_latest_db, and querydisplay_tab, which can be manipulated to execute malicious code in the context of a victim's browser session. Finally, the pos parameter in sql.php provides another avenue for script injection attacks, particularly when executing SQL queries through the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. Database administrators who are logged into PhpMyAdmin with elevated privileges become particularly vulnerable, as the injected scripts execute with the same permissions as the authenticated user. This creates opportunities for attackers to access sensitive database information, modify database structures, execute unauthorized queries, and potentially escalate their privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on PhpMyAdmin for database management, as it provides a direct attack surface that can compromise entire database infrastructures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to PhpMyAdmin version 2.9.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these XSS vulnerabilities. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, particularly targeting the specific parameter names mentioned in the vulnerability. Input validation and output encoding should be strengthened across all user-facing parameters within the application, with special attention to the vulnerable endpoints identified in the attack vectors. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to ensure no other instances of similar flaws exist within the database administration environment, and implement regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the dangers of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while logged into database administration interfaces, as social engineering attacks often complement technical vulnerabilities in these scenarios.