CVE-2011-4782 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in libraries/config/ConfigFile.class.php in the setup interface in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the host parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4782 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyAdmin administrative interface that affects versions 3.4.x prior to 3.4.9. This security weakness resides in the ConfigFile.class.php library file which handles configuration management during the setup process. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the host parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers. The affected setup interface component processes configuration data without adequate input validation, making it susceptible to injection attacks that can compromise the integrity of the web application and potentially lead to unauthorized access or data manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the host parameter during the phpMyAdmin setup process, where attackers can craft malicious input that gets reflected back to users' browsers without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The flaw demonstrates poor security practices in parameter handling where the application assumes that user-provided data can be safely processed without proper sanitization or encoding before being rendered in the user interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs in the setup interface, which is often accessed by administrators with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their privileges or gain deeper system access through session hijacking or credential theft.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4782 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrator credentials, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability affects the core configuration management functionality of phpMyAdmin, which is commonly used to manage database connections and server configurations. When exploited, this XSS flaw can result in unauthorized access to database systems, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of the entire database infrastructure. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets the setup interface, which may be accessed by administrators who have elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to modify critical system configurations or establish persistent access points within the database environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to version 3.4.9 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that enforce strict parameter filtering and sanitization for all user-provided data, particularly in administrative interfaces where sensitive operations occur. Network security controls should include web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious input patterns associated with XSS attacks, while also implementing proper output encoding to prevent reflected scripts from executing in user browsers. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns in setup interfaces and configuration management modules, as these areas often represent high-value targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access within database environments. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against common web application vulnerabilities, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection attacks that can be facilitated through XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.