CVE-2008-3457 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in setup.php in phpMyAdmin before 2.11.8 allows user-assisted remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted setup arguments. NOTE: this issue can only be exploited in limited scenarios in which the attacker must be able to modify config/config.inc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3457 represents a cross-site scripting weakness within the phpMyAdmin administrative interface that was present in versions prior to 2.11.8. This vulnerability exists in the setup.php script and enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted setup arguments. The security flaw is classified under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, making it a critical concern for web application security. The vulnerability operates by failing to properly sanitize user input parameters that are passed to the setup configuration interface, allowing malicious payloads to be injected and subsequently executed within the context of a victim's browser session.
The exploitation scenario for this vulnerability requires specific preconditions that limit its attack surface but still present significant risk. Attackers must first gain the ability to modify the config/config.inc.php configuration file, which represents a substantial prerequisite for successful exploitation. This limitation means that the vulnerability cannot be exploited in scenarios where the attacker has no access to modify the application's configuration files. However, when the attacker can modify the configuration file, they can inject malicious code that will be executed during the setup process, potentially leading to unauthorized access to database resources or data exfiltration. The attack vector typically involves manipulating the setup parameters to include malicious script code that gets executed when the setup.php script processes these parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to database environments through compromised phpMyAdmin interfaces. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands within the context of the web application, potentially leading to full compromise of the database server if proper access controls are not in place. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as attackers might use this vulnerability to establish backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive information. The limited exploitation scenario means that while the attack surface is constrained, the potential damage is significant when the prerequisites are met, as it could provide attackers with unauthorized access to database content and administrative capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 2.11.8 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input sanitization and validation. Additionally, administrators should implement strict file permissions on configuration files to prevent unauthorized modification, ensuring that only authorized personnel can alter the config/config.inc.php file. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and input validation should be deployed to detect and prevent malicious parameter injection attempts. The implementation of secure coding practices including output encoding and parameter validation should be enforced throughout the application to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in future development cycles. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential attack vectors and ensure that the application environment remains secure against evolving threats.