CVE-2011-4634 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.8 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a crafted database name, related to the Database Synchronize panel; (2) a crafted database name, related to the Database rename panel; (3) a crafted SQL query, related to the table overview panel; (4) a crafted SQL query, related to the view creation dialog; (5) a crafted column type, related to the table search dialog; or (6) a crafted column type, related to the create index dialog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The CVE-2011-4634 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyAdmin versions 3.4.x prior to 3.4.8, exposing users to persistent web script injection attacks. This vulnerability manifests across multiple panels within the phpMyAdmin interface, creating numerous attack vectors that could be exploited by remote threat actors. The flaw specifically targets the Database Synchronize panel, Database rename panel, table overview panel, view creation dialog, table search dialog, and create index dialog, each presenting distinct pathways for malicious code injection. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning as they operate within the administrative interface of database management systems, where users typically have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within phpMyAdmin's user interface components. When users interact with database operations through these panels, the application fails to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before rendering it in web responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability's scope extends beyond simple script injection to include various database operations, indicating a systemic issue in how the application handles user input across multiple functional areas. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Cross-site Scripting vulnerability, which falls under the broader category of injection flaws that compromise web application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4634 is substantial, particularly in environments where phpMyAdmin serves as an administrative interface for database management. Attackers could leverage these vulnerabilities to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface database management interfaces, or potentially escalate privileges within the database environment. The attack vectors targeting database names, SQL queries, and column types demonstrate that the vulnerability extends to core database operations, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on phpMyAdmin for database administration. This vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to database contents, modify database structures, or execute arbitrary commands depending on the underlying database system and user permissions. The impact is amplified by the fact that these vulnerabilities affect commonly used database management interfaces, making them attractive targets for automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-4634 primarily focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 3.4.8 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for these XSS vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be relied upon as the sole mitigation. Input sanitization measures should be implemented to ensure all user-supplied data is properly escaped before being rendered in web interfaces. Security best practices recommend implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and keeping web applications updated, as these XSS flaws typically result from insufficient output encoding and validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving command and control communication and credential access, as attackers could use these flaws to establish persistent access to database environments and extract sensitive information.