CVE-2011-4780 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in libraries/display_export.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.9 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via crafted URL parameters, related to the export panels in the (1) server, (2) database, and (3) table sections.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4780 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in phpMyAdmin version 3.4.x before 3.4.9, specifically within the libraries/display_export.lib.php file. This vulnerability affects the export functionality across multiple sections of the phpMyAdmin interface including server-level, database-level, and table-level export panels. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied URL parameters before rendering them in the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious URLs containing script code that gets executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, commonly known as cross-site scripting. This flaw operates through the injection of malicious scripts into URL parameters that are then processed and displayed without proper sanitization. The attack vector specifically targets the export functionality where user input is directly incorporated into HTML output without adequate escaping or encoding. The vulnerability exists because the display_export.lib.php library fails to implement proper output encoding when handling parameters from the URL, creating an environment where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as executable code by web browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4780 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform sophisticated attacks against authenticated users within the phpMyAdmin environment. When an authenticated user accesses a maliciously crafted URL, the injected scripts execute in their browser context with the privileges of that user, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive database information, modify database structures, or even escalate privileges within the phpMyAdmin interface. The vulnerability affects the entire export functionality across three major sections of the application, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can target different levels of the database hierarchy. This creates multiple attack surfaces for exploitation and increases the likelihood of successful compromise.
Organizations using phpMyAdmin versions affected by CVE-2011-4780 should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 3.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious URL parameters before they reach the vulnerable application. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level to ensure that all URL parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the export functionality. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for malicious file delivery, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide defense-in-depth against XSS exploitation by restricting script execution from untrusted sources. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the database administration infrastructure.