CVE-2011-2506 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
setup/lib/ConfigGenerator.class.php in phpMyAdmin 3.x before 3.3.10.2 and 3.4.x before 3.4.3.1 does not properly restrict the presence of comment closing delimiters, which allows remote attackers to conduct static code injection attacks by leveraging the ability to modify the SESSION superglobal array.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2506 resides within the phpMyAdmin application's configuration generation mechanism, specifically in the ConfigGenerator.class.php file located in the setup/lib directory. This flaw affects phpMyAdmin versions 3.x prior to 3.3.10.2 and 3.4.x prior to 3.4.3.1, representing a critical security weakness that could enable remote code execution through carefully crafted input manipulation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of comment closing delimiters during configuration file generation, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious code into the application's configuration process. The issue is particularly concerning because it leverages the SESSION superglobal array, which is typically used to store user session data and can be manipulated by attackers who have access to the application's session handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through static code injection techniques that capitalize on the improper restriction of comment delimiters in the configuration generation process. When phpMyAdmin processes user input through the SESSION superglobal array, it fails to adequately sanitize or validate the presence of comment closing delimiters such as "--" or "*/" that could be embedded within user-supplied data. Attackers can manipulate session variables to inject these delimiters, effectively breaking out of the intended configuration context and injecting arbitrary PHP code into the generated configuration files. This allows for the execution of malicious code on the server where phpMyAdmin is installed, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw operates at the application level and does not require authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where phpMyAdmin is publicly accessible.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-2506 extends beyond simple code injection, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's input validation and sanitization processes. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary PHP code with the privileges of the web server, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects the core configuration generation functionality, meaning that any configuration file generated by the affected phpMyAdmin versions could be compromised, potentially affecting database connections, user authentication, and other critical application settings. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes the improper control of generation of code, and represents a classic example of a code injection attack that can escalate to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely without requiring prior authentication, making it a high-risk vulnerability for any organization running affected versions of phpMyAdmin.
Organizations affected by CVE-2011-2506 should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to phpMyAdmin versions 3.3.10.2 or 3.4.3.1, which contain the necessary patches to address the comment delimiter restriction issue. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict session handling mechanisms, implement proper input validation for all user-supplied data, and consider network-level protections such as web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as it exploits the fundamental trust placed in session data without adequate validation. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual session manipulation patterns and configuration file changes that could indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for executing malicious code and T1566 for credential harvesting through application vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other web applications.