CVE-2009-4605 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
scripts/setup.php (aka the setup script) in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.10 calls the unserialize function on the values of the (1) configuration and (2) v[0] parameters, which might allow remote attackers to conduct cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4605 resides within phpMyAdmin version 2.11.x prior to 2.11.10, specifically in the scripts/setup.php file which serves as the setup script for the web-based database management tool. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that exposes the application to remote code execution risks through improper input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability occurs when the setup script processes user-supplied parameters without adequate security measures, creating an attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to manipulate the application's behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the script's improper handling of serialized data through the unserialize function. When the setup script processes the configuration and v[0] parameters, it directly passes these values to the unserialize function without sufficient validation or sanitization. This creates a dangerous scenario where attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed, can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for cross-site request forgery attacks, where an attacker can trick authenticated users into executing unintended actions within the application context. This represents a classic case of insecure deserialization, where the application fails to validate the integrity and safety of serialized data before processing it.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple CSRF attacks to potentially enable full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code on the server running phpMyAdmin, potentially gaining complete control over the database management environment. This could result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database administration, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that handle sensitive data. The attack vector is particularly insidious because it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can access the setup script. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, demonstrating how insecure deserialization can lead to remote code execution.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to phpMyAdmin version 2.11.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the unsafe use of the unserialize function. Additionally, administrators should ensure that the setup script is not accessible to unauthorized users and should consider implementing network-level restrictions to prevent access to the vulnerable script. The recommended approach includes disabling the setup script entirely in production environments and ensuring that all user inputs are properly validated and sanitized before processing. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious access patterns to setup scripts, and regular security audits should verify that no vulnerable versions remain in production. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious attempts to exploit this vulnerability, as well as ensuring that proper access controls are in place to prevent unauthorized modifications to the application configuration.