CVE-2013-3241 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
export.php (aka the export script) in phpMyAdmin 4.x before 4.0.0-rc3 overwrites global variables on the basis of the contents of the POST superglobal array, which allows remote authenticated users to inject values via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3241 affects phpMyAdmin versions 4.x prior to 4.0.0-rc3 and specifically targets the export.php script which is commonly referred to as the export script. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper handling of user-supplied data within the application's variable assignment mechanisms. The vulnerability occurs when the application processes data from the POST superglobal array without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's internal state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the export.php script directly assigning values from the POST array to global variables without proper filtering or context validation. When an authenticated user submits a crafted request containing specially formatted POST parameters, the script's variable assignment logic inadvertently overwrites critical global variables that control the application's behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of variable overwrite or variable injection flaws, which are classified as CWE-128 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The weakness specifically relates to the improper handling of input data that leads to unauthorized modification of program variables.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for systems running affected versions of phpMyAdmin. Remote authenticated attackers can exploit this flaw to manipulate the application's execution flow and potentially gain unauthorized access to database operations. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject arbitrary values into global variables, which could lead to privilege escalation, data manipulation, or unauthorized access to database resources. Since the attack requires only authentication, it represents a particularly dangerous weakness that can be exploited by users with legitimate access credentials, potentially enabling insider threat scenarios or compromised accounts to be leveraged for more extensive attacks.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the category of privilege escalation and defense evasion. Attackers could use this flaw to modify application behavior, potentially bypassing access controls or altering export functionality to gain unauthorized data access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal complexity and can be automated, making it attractive for both malicious insiders and external attackers. Organizations using affected versions of phpMyAdmin should consider this vulnerability as a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, particularly in environments where phpMyAdmin is used for database administration and where multiple users have access to the application.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin version 4.0.0-rc3 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent the injection of malicious values into global variables. Additionally, organizations should implement proper access controls, monitor for unusual export activities, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even authenticated access paths can be exploited if proper security controls are not implemented. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar patterns of improper variable handling in other applications that may be susceptible to the same class of attacks.