CVE-2011-4107 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
The simplexml_load_string function in the XML import plug-in (libraries/import/xml.php) in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.7.1 and 3.3.x before 3.3.10.5 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via XML data containing external entity references, aka an XML external entity (XXE) injection attack.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4107 represents a critical XML external entity injection flaw within the phpMyAdmin web-based database management tool. This security weakness exists in the simplexml_load_string function implementation within the XML import plugin, specifically affecting versions 3.4.x prior to 3.4.7.1 and 3.3.x prior to 3.3.10.5. The vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to exploit the system's XML processing capabilities by crafting malicious XML data that includes external entity references, thereby enabling unauthorized file access through the application's import functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of XML data within the phpMyAdmin import module. When the application processes XML files containing external entity declarations, the simplexml_load_string function fails to properly sanitize or restrict external entity references, allowing attackers to specify arbitrary file paths that can be resolved and read by the underlying system. This flaw falls under the CWE-611 category of Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that has been exploited in numerous high-profile security incidents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers who have already gained authentication access to the phpMyAdmin interface to escalate their privileges and access sensitive files on the server. Attackers can potentially read configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive system information that may be stored in accessible file paths. This represents a privilege escalation attack vector that can compromise the entire application environment and potentially lead to further system compromise if the application has elevated file system permissions.
The attack vector specifically targets the XML import functionality, which is commonly used by database administrators to import structured data into their MySQL databases. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with the fact that phpMyAdmin is often deployed in environments where it has access to sensitive database information and system resources. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for XML External Entity Injection and T1566 for malicious file execution through web applications, representing both the technique used to exploit the vulnerability and the broader attack pattern.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin versions to the secure releases that address the XXE injection flaw. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization for all XML processing functions, disable external entity resolution in XML parsers, and restrict file system access permissions for the phpMyAdmin application. Additional security measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious XML content, monitoring import activities for suspicious patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other XML processing components within the application stack.