CVE-2014-4348 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 4.2.x before 4.2.4 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted (1) database name or (2) table name that is improperly handled after presence in (a) the favorite list or (b) recent tables.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4348 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyAdmin versions 4.2.x prior to 4.2.4. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of user-provided data within database management contexts, specifically when dealing with database names and table names that are stored in user preference structures. The issue manifests when authenticated users exploit improper input sanitization mechanisms that fail to adequately escape or validate user-supplied content before rendering it within web interfaces. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of authenticated sessions, meaning that an attacker must first gain valid credentials to exploit this flaw, but once achieved, the impact can be significant for the targeted environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient output escaping in phpMyAdmin's favorite list and recent tables functionality. When users add database or table names to these lists, the application fails to properly sanitize the input before storing and subsequently displaying this information in web pages. This creates a classic XSS vector where maliciously crafted names containing script tags or other HTML content can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly escape or encode user-controllable data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. The flaw operates at the application layer where user input is processed without adequate security controls, making it susceptible to manipulation by threat actors who can craft malicious entries that persist in the application's data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. When users with valid credentials access phpMyAdmin, they will encounter the maliciously injected content in their favorite lists or recent tables displays, leading to potential data exfiltration and further compromise of the database environment. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on phpMyAdmin for database administration, as it can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to database content, manipulate user permissions, or escalate privileges within the application. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must already have legitimate access to the system, but this access can be gained through various means including credential theft, social engineering, or other initial compromise vectors, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access is common.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to phpMyAdmin version 4.2.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the application, particularly in areas where user preferences and metadata are stored and displayed. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any instances where user-supplied data might be improperly handled, and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and security headers to provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, which emphasizes the need for secure coding practices to prevent malicious script injection in web applications. Regular security updates, proper access controls, and user education remain critical components in defending against this class of vulnerability and similar XSS threats that continue to pose significant risks to database management systems.