CVE-2007-0341 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpMyAdmin 2.8.1 and earlier, when Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 is used, allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a javascript: URI in a CSS style in the convcharset parameter to the top-level URI, a different vulnerability than CVE-2005-0992.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2018
This cross-site scripting vulnerability exists in phpMyAdmin versions 2.8.1 and earlier, specifically affecting users operating with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. The flaw occurs when processing the convcharset parameter in the top-level URI, where attackers can inject malicious javascript: URIs within CSS style declarations. This creates a unique attack vector that differs from the previously documented CVE-2005-0992 vulnerability, demonstrating the evolving nature of web application security flaws. The vulnerability leverages the specific behavior of Internet Explorer 6's handling of CSS styles and javascript: URIs, making it particularly dangerous in environments where this older browser version remains in use.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the insecure processing of user-supplied input in the convcharset parameter without proper sanitization or validation. When phpMyAdmin processes CSS style information containing javascript: URIs within the convcharset parameter, it fails to properly escape or filter these inputs before rendering them in the browser context. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute in the victim's browser session, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability specifically targets the interaction between phpMyAdmin's output rendering and Internet Explorer 6's CSS processing engine, where certain javascript: URI schemes are interpreted as executable code rather than plain text.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the context of authenticated phpMyAdmin sessions. Attackers can potentially steal session cookies, modify database contents, execute unauthorized administrative commands, or redirect users to phishing sites. The fact that this vulnerability is browser-specific to Internet Explorer 6 makes it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining legacy systems or those with strict browser compatibility requirements. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to database administrators who may unknowingly execute malicious code while managing their databases through phpMyAdmin interfaces.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpMyAdmin versions 2.8.2 or later, which contain patches addressing this specific XSS vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network-level filtering to prevent malicious javascript: URIs from reaching phpMyAdmin interfaces, though this represents a less secure mitigation approach than proper patching. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for initial access through malicious web content. Additional mitigations include implementing content security policies, disabling unnecessary features, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications. Organizations should also consider migrating away from Internet Explorer 6, as it represents a significant security risk beyond this specific vulnerability and lacks support for modern security protocols.