CVE-2011-4064 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the setup interface in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2024
The CVE-2011-4064 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the setup interface of phpMyAdmin versions 3.4.x prior to 3.4.6. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administrative interface that millions of database administrators rely upon for managing mysql databases through web browsers. The flaw specifically affects the configuration and setup components of phpMyAdmin, making it a particularly dangerous issue given that setup interfaces typically handle sensitive administrative parameters and user inputs that require strict validation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the setup interface where user-provided values are not properly escaped or validated before being rendered back to the browser. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input values that contain embedded javascript or html code, which then gets executed in the context of other users' browsers who access the compromised setup interface. This creates a classic persistent XSS scenario where the malicious payload is stored and subsequently delivered to unsuspecting users without their knowledge. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users might access the same phpMyAdmin instance.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4064 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the database environment. When administrators or users access the compromised setup interface, their browsers execute the injected scripts, potentially allowing attackers to capture session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or modify database configurations. The vulnerability affects not just individual users but entire database environments where phpMyAdmin is deployed, potentially compromising sensitive database access credentials and administrative controls. This represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database management, as the setup interface often contains critical configuration parameters that can be manipulated to gain deeper access to database systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 3.4.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit who can reach the setup interface, while input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers of the application architecture. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious patterns in setup interface usage, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploit public-facing application, making it a critical target for security teams implementing comprehensive threat detection and response strategies.