CVE-2012-1190 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the replication-setup functionality in js/replication.js in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.10.1 allows user-assisted remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted database name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1190 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within phpMyAdmin's replication setup functionality. This security weakness exists in the js/replication.js file and affects versions 3.4.x before 3.4.10.1, making it a significant concern for database administrators who rely on this popular web-based database management tool. The vulnerability specifically targets the replication setup component where database names are processed, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by remote adversaries with minimal user interaction requirements.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the javascript code responsible for handling database names during replication configuration. When a user inputs a database name containing malicious script code, the application fails to properly escape or filter this input before rendering it in the web interface. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected replication setup page. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a cross-site scripting weakness, specifically targeting the improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive authentication tokens, redirect users to malicious websites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft. Since phpMyAdmin is commonly used by database administrators and developers, successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive database information, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized database modifications. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that a victim must navigate to a page containing the maliciously crafted database name, but this requirement is easily satisfied through social engineering or by manipulating existing database configurations.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for phishing and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The remediation strategy involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 3.4.10.1 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation at multiple layers, including client-side javascript validation and server-side filtering of database names. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, though the most effective mitigation remains the immediate patching of affected systems. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their phpMyAdmin installations to identify any other potential XSS vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader application codebase.