CVE-2008-4096 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
libraries/database_interface.lib.php in phpMyAdmin before 2.11.9.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a request to server_databases.php with a sort_by parameter containing PHP sequences, which are processed by create_function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4096 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in phpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.11.9.1. This security issue resides within the database_interface.lib.php library file and specifically affects the server_databases.php script. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users submit requests containing malicious sort_by parameters that include PHP code sequences. The flaw exploits the insecure processing of user input through the create_function PHP function, which dynamically creates functions from strings without proper sanitization. This creates a dangerous attack surface where malicious code can be executed within the context of the web server running phpMyAdmin.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the sort_by parameter in the server_databases.php endpoint. When phpMyAdmin processes this parameter, it passes the input directly to create_function, which then evaluates the provided string as PHP code. This behavior violates fundamental security principles and creates a classic code injection vulnerability. The Common Weakness Enumeration classification for this flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" where untrusted data is used to generate code without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate security controls around dynamic code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to database administrators and organizations using phpMyAdmin for database management. Since the attack requires only authenticated access, it can be exploited by users with legitimate database credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have administrative privileges. The remote code execution capability allows attackers to potentially escalate their privileges, access sensitive data, modify database contents, or even compromise the entire web server hosting phpMyAdmin. The attack vector does not require special tools or complex exploitation techniques, making it accessible to attackers with basic knowledge of web application security. This vulnerability directly maps to several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when considering the privilege escalation potential.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 2.11.9.1 or later to remediate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters before they are processed by dynamic code execution functions. Security administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of phpMyAdmin interfaces to trusted networks only. Additionally, monitoring for unusual parameter usage patterns and implementing web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and avoiding dangerous functions like create_function when processing untrusted input, as recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices guidelines. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other applications that may be susceptible to code injection attacks through dynamic code execution mechanisms.