CVE-2012-4345 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Database Structure page in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.11.1 and 3.5.x before 3.5.2.2 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a crafted table name during table creation, or a (2) Empty link or (3) Drop link for a crafted table name.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2012-4345 represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyAdmin versions 3.4.x before 3.4.11.1 and 3.5.x before 3.5.2.2. This vulnerability resides within the Database Structure page functionality and specifically targets the handling of table names during creation and management operations. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious web script or HTML content through three distinct vectors that exploit improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application's user interface. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic XSS attack pattern where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to the browser.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input when processing table names in the database structure management interface. When users create tables with crafted names or interact with Empty link and Drop link functionality for maliciously constructed table names, the application fails to properly escape or encode the output rendering. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically affects the Database Structure page where table names are displayed and manipulated, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the administrative interface where users have elevated privileges. The flaw is categorized under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize or incorrectly sanitize output, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with the ability to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, and potentially escalate privileges within the phpMyAdmin environment. Since the vulnerability requires authentication, attackers must first obtain valid credentials to exploit it, but once compromised, they can manipulate database structures and potentially access sensitive data. The vulnerability affects users who have administrative or database management privileges, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database administration tasks. The XSS payload can be crafted to redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies, or execute unauthorized database operations, potentially leading to complete database compromise. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables attackers to inject malicious code that can be executed by other users' browsers.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official patches released by phpMyAdmin version 3.4.11.1 and 3.5.2.2, which address the input validation and output encoding issues. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of phpMyAdmin interfaces to untrusted networks. Regular security audits and input validation reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 security standards, where inadequate protection of user input can lead to severe consequences including complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit similar vulnerabilities.