CVE-2012-4251 in MySQLDumper
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in MySQLDumper 1.24.4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) page parameter to index.php, (2) phase parameter to install.php, (3) tablename or (4) dbid parameter to sql.php, or (5) filename parameter to restore.php in learn/cubemail/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2025
The CVE-2012-4251 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting MySQLDumper version 1.24.4, a popular database management tool that facilitates database administration through web interfaces. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within multiple script files, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by remote malicious actors. The flaw specifically targets five distinct parameters across different PHP files, demonstrating a widespread lack of proper security controls in the application's input handling mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in the context of web-based database management tools where user input directly influences dynamic content generation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is required.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper sanitization of user-supplied data in five different parameters across various files within the MySQLDumper application. The page parameter in index.php, phase parameter in install.php, tablename and dbid parameters in sql.php, and filename parameter in restore.php all fail to properly validate or escape user input before incorporating it into web responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they access affected pages. The vulnerability manifests as reflected XSS, where malicious payloads are reflected back to users through the application's response, making it particularly effective for session hijacking and credential theft. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where the application fails to sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages, creating a direct pathway for malicious code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-4251 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges and compromise entire database management environments. Remote attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to steal administrative sessions, inject malicious code that persists across multiple user interactions, or redirect users to phishing sites designed to capture credentials. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of MySQLDumper, which is used for database administration tasks including database creation, modification, and backup restoration, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database security is paramount. Attackers could leverage these XSS vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information, modify database contents, or establish persistent backdoors through the injection of malicious scripts that execute in the context of legitimate users. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which describes social engineering attacks that can be facilitated through web-based vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-4251 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding controls across all affected parameters. Organizations must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed in web responses, implementing proper HTML entity encoding and input validation routines. The most effective immediate solution involves patching the MySQLDumper application to version 1.24.5 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, input validation libraries, and regular security audits of web applications can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can provide additional protection, though they should not be considered a replacement for proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly those addressing input validation and output encoding to prevent XSS attacks in web applications.