CVE-2012-5339 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.5.x before 3.5.3 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted name of (1) an event, (2) a procedure, or (3) a trigger.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5339 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in phpMyAdmin versions 3.5.x prior to 3.5.3, specifically affecting the database management interface used by millions of web applications worldwide. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-defined database objects including events, procedures, and triggers, which are essential components for database automation and stored procedures. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with sufficient privileges to inject malicious scripts into these database object names, creating a persistent vector for XSS attacks that can compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within phpMyAdmin's administrative interface. When users create or modify database events, procedures, or triggers, the application fails to properly escape or encode user-supplied names before rendering them in HTML output contexts. This omission creates an environment where maliciously crafted names containing script tags or JavaScript code can be executed within the browser context of other authenticated users who view these database objects. The vulnerability specifically affects the rendering of these object names in various administrative panels and listings, where the unescaped content flows directly into HTML documents without proper sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the administrative interface in ways that can compromise entire database environments. An authenticated attacker can craft malicious names that, when displayed in the phpMyAdmin interface, execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' sessions. This capability allows for session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the database management environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the phpMyAdmin interface, which is often accessible to users with database administrative privileges, making it a significant threat to organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database administration tasks.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to phpMyAdmin version 3.5.3 or later, which contains proper input sanitization measures for database object names. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of phpMyAdmin interfaces to trusted users only, while implementing proper output encoding mechanisms for all user-supplied content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that administrative interfaces often represent prime targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to critical database infrastructure.