CVE-2007-2245 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin before 2.10.1.0 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the fieldkey parameter to browse_foreigners.php or (2) certain input to the PMA_sanitize function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2245 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in phpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.10.1.0 that exposes web applications to persistent malicious code injection attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the database management interface used by thousands of web applications, making it a significant threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized commands. The flaw exists in the input sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly validate and escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that exploit different components of the phpMyAdmin application. The first vector targets the fieldkey parameter within the browse_foreigners.php script, where unsanitized input allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The second vector exploits the PMA_sanitize function, which serves as a core sanitization routine but fails to adequately handle certain input patterns, creating opportunities for XSS exploitation. Both attack paths leverage the fundamental weakness in output encoding and input validation processes that should prevent malicious code from being executed within user contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive credentials, and potentially escalate privileges within the database management environment. When users navigate to affected pages, their browsers execute the injected malicious code, which can redirect them to phishing sites, steal cookies, or modify database content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because phpMyAdmin is commonly used by administrators with elevated privileges, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for database security. This weakness aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications where user-controllable data is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages.
The exploitation of CVE-2007-2245 follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves the use of web application vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation. Attackers typically craft malicious payloads that leverage the XSS weakness to establish persistent access to database management interfaces, often combined with social engineering to target administrators. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions of phpMyAdmin indicates a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture rather than a simple coding error, requiring comprehensive remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of the security patch released with phpMyAdmin version 2.10.1.0, which implements proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security layers including web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of database management interfaces. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing database operations while maintaining the integrity of user sessions and data access controls. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar weaknesses within their database management infrastructure and implement automated monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts.