CVE-2011-1940 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.3.x before 3.3.10.1 and 3.4.x before 3.4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted table name that triggers improper HTML rendering on a Tracking page, related to (1) libraries/tbl_links.inc.php and (2) tbl_tracking.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1940 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting phpMyAdmin versions prior to 3.3.10.1 and 3.4.1. This security flaw resides in the application's handling of table names within the tracking functionality, specifically impacting the libraries/tbl_links.inc.php and tbl_tracking.php components. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or encode user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious table names containing embedded script code that gets executed when users view the tracking page, creating a persistent XSS vector that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of table naming conventions within phpMyAdmin's database management interface. When a user navigates to the tracking page for a table containing specially crafted malicious content in its name, the application fails to properly sanitize this input before displaying it in HTML context. This improper HTML rendering allows attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code, HTML tags, or other malicious content that executes in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that directly enables XSS attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms that violate secure coding principles and industry standards.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1940 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling sophisticated attacks that can compromise entire user sessions and database access privileges. An attacker could craft malicious table names that, when viewed by administrators or other users, would execute scripts that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized database operations. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-user database management systems where administrators might be viewing tracking pages for tables created by less privileged users. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through Web Protocols and T1584.002 for Establishing Persistence through Web Shells, as the injected scripts could be used to maintain long-term access to compromised systems. The vulnerability also relates to T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits weaknesses in web application processing of user input.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to versions 3.3.10.1 or 3.4.1 and later. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all user-supplied data entry points, particularly in database management interfaces. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution in web pages. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of web applications and implement proper input sanitization routines that escape HTML entities and validate data formats before processing. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure of database management interfaces to trusted users only. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing proper security controls in database management systems, as outdated applications often contain known vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by threat actors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting similar XSS vulnerabilities in their web applications.