CVE-2012-4579 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.5.x before 3.5.2.2 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a Table Operations (1) TRUNCATE or (2) DROP link for a crafted table name, (3) the Add Trigger popup within a Triggers page that references crafted table names, (4) an invalid trigger-creation attempt for a crafted table name, (5) crafted data in a table, or (6) a crafted tooltip label name during GIS data visualization, a different issue than CVE-2012-4345.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-4579 represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyAdmin versions 3.5.x prior to 3.5.2.2. This vulnerability resides within the web-based database management interface that is widely deployed across enterprise environments and web hosting platforms. The flaw manifests through multiple attack vectors that exploit the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms when processing user-supplied data. Security researchers identified that the vulnerability affects the core functionality of table operations, trigger management, and data visualization components within the phpMyAdmin interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from phpMyAdmin's failure to properly sanitize user input across several critical interface components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious table names that contain embedded script tags or other malicious code elements. When these crafted names are processed during table operations such as TRUNCATE or DROP actions, or when displayed in trigger creation popups, the application fails to adequately escape or filter the input before rendering it in the browser context. This creates an environment where malicious scripts can execute within the context of authenticated users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the database management environment. Given that phpMyAdmin is typically accessed by users with elevated privileges and database access rights, successful exploitation could enable attackers to manipulate database contents, extract sensitive information, or establish persistent access to the underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability affects both the administrative and operational capabilities of database systems, as it can be leveraged to compromise not only the web interface but potentially the entire database ecosystem. Organizations relying on phpMyAdmin for database management face significant risk when operating vulnerable versions, particularly in environments where database administrators maintain access to sensitive corporate or customer data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the patched version 3.5.2.2 or subsequent releases that address the input validation gaps. System administrators should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures across all user-facing components of the application, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes proper encoding and validation before being rendered in browser contexts. The implementation of content security policies can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to prevent script execution even if input validation fails. Organizations should also consider restricting access to phpMyAdmin interfaces through network-level controls and implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security weaknesses in database management interfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under initial access and execution techniques, as it enables attackers to establish persistent presence within database environments through web-based exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar weaknesses in other web applications within the organization's attack surface.