CVE-2011-2719 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
libraries/auth/swekey/swekey.auth.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 3.x before 3.3.10.3 and 3.4.x before 3.4.3.2 does not properly manage sessions associated with Swekey authentication, which allows remote attackers to modify the SESSION superglobal array, other superglobal arrays, and certain swekey.auth.lib.php local variables via a crafted query string, a related issue to CVE-2011-2505.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2719 affects phpMyAdmin versions prior to 3.3.10.3 and 3.4.3.2, specifically within the Swekey authentication library implementation. This flaw represents a critical session management weakness that enables remote attackers to manipulate core PHP superglobal arrays through crafted HTTP query parameters. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the swekey.auth.lib.php file, which is responsible for handling Swekey hardware authentication mechanisms in phpMyAdmin's authentication system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the SESSION superglobal array and other superglobal variables via malicious query string parameters. Attackers can craft specific URL requests that bypass normal authentication controls and directly modify internal PHP variables, effectively allowing them to escalate privileges or bypass authentication entirely. This issue is classified as a weakness in input validation and session management, with direct implications for authentication integrity and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of improper variable handling where user-controllable input directly influences internal application state variables, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database server security as phpMyAdmin serves as a web-based interface for database management. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to database systems, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or destruction. The impact extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include potential privilege escalation within the application context, as the attacker can manipulate session data to assume different user roles or permissions. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database administration and use Swekey hardware authentication as part of their security strategy.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2011-2719 requires immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to versions 3.3.10.3 or 3.4.3.2, which contain the necessary fixes for proper session management. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including network segmentation, web application firewalls, and monitoring of suspicious query string patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to ensure all phpMyAdmin instances are updated and monitor for any exploitation attempts targeting this specific authentication bypass vulnerability.