CVE-2007-4306 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 2.10.3 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) unlim_num_rows, (2) sql_query, or (3) pos parameter to (a) tbl_export.php; the (4) session_max_rows or (5) pos parameter to (b) sql.php; the (6) username parameter to (c) server_privileges.php; or the (7) sql_query parameter to (d) main.php. NOTE: vector 5 might be a regression or incomplete fix for CVE-2006-6942.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4306 represents a significant cross-site scripting weakness in phpMyAdmin version 2.10.3 that affects multiple script files within the application. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code in the context of victims' browsers, creating a serious security risk for database administrators who use this popular web-based database management tool. The flaw manifests through multiple attack vectors that target different pages within the phpMyAdmin interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through various entry points.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within phpMyAdmin's processing routines. Attackers can manipulate specific parameters in the HTTP requests to inject malicious payloads that will be executed when legitimate users view the affected pages. The vulnerable parameters include unlim_num_rows, sql_query, pos, session_max_rows, username, and sql_query, each targeting different PHP scripts such as tbl_export.php, sql.php, server_privileges.php, and main.php. These parameters are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject script code that executes in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it can lead to complete compromise of database administration sessions. When exploited, attackers can steal session cookies, perform unauthorized database operations, modify or delete sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The vulnerability affects database administrators who rely on phpMyAdmin for managing their MySQL databases, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database access is critical. The fact that this vulnerability may represent a regression or incomplete fix for CVE-2006-6942 suggests that previous attempts to address XSS issues were not fully effective, indicating a pattern of recurring security problems in the application's input handling mechanisms.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in software applications, and corresponds to techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Phishing. The attack vectors demonstrate how web applications can be compromised through parameter manipulation, particularly in applications that handle user input without proper validation. Organizations using phpMyAdmin should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization, output encoding, and regular security updates. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of comprehensive testing for XSS flaws and proper security review processes to prevent regressions in security fixes. System administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls and regular security audits to protect against similar vulnerabilities in database management interfaces.