CVE-2009-1151 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Static code injection vulnerability in setup.php in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.9.5 and 3.x before 3.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a configuration file via the save action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1151 represents a critical static code injection flaw within phpMyAdmin's setup configuration mechanism. This vulnerability affects versions 2.11.x prior to 2.11.9.5 and 3.x prior to 3.1.3.1, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input during the configuration saving process. The flaw specifically manifests when the setup.php script processes the save action, allowing remote attackers to inject malicious PHP code directly into configuration files that are subsequently executed by the web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the phpMyAdmin configuration management system. When users attempt to save configuration settings through the setup interface, the application does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as PHP code. This creates a path for attackers to inject arbitrary PHP payloads that get written to configuration files, which are then executed during subsequent application operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Obfuscated Files or Information" and T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PHP."
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code injection, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the target system. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution capabilities, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or establish backdoors within the web application environment. The configuration files that become compromised often contain database connection credentials, application settings, and other sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects database administration environments where phpMyAdmin is commonly deployed, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise database servers and their associated applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of phpMyAdmin, which were released in 2.11.9.5 and 3.1.3.1 respectively. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while disabling the setup.php script when not actively needed offers a temporary workaround. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unauthorized modifications to configuration files and unusual PHP code execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of how configuration management interfaces can become attack vectors when proper sanitization controls are not implemented. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for phpMyAdmin installations and regularly audit configuration file integrity to detect potential compromise.