CVE-2014-4955 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the PMA_TRI_getRowForList function in libraries/rte/rte_list.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.1, 4.1.x before 4.1.14.2, and 4.2.x before 4.2.6 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted trigger name that is improperly handled on the database triggers page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2022
The CVE-2014-4955 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within phpMyAdmin's database trigger management functionality. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 4.0.x prior to 4.0.10.1, 4.1.x prior to 4.1.14.2, and 4.2.x prior to 4.2.6, making it a widespread issue across multiple stable release lines of this popular database administration tool. The vulnerability resides in the PMA_TRI_getRowForList function located within the libraries/rte/rte_list.lib.php file, which processes and displays database trigger information on the database triggers page. This flaw enables authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code through carefully crafted trigger names, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by users with legitimate access to the phpMyAdmin interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when phpMyAdmin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input during the rendering of database trigger information. When an attacker creates or modifies a database trigger with malicious content in the trigger name, the PMA_TRI_getRowForList function processes this input without adequate input validation or output encoding. This improper handling allows the malicious payload to be executed within the context of other users' browser sessions who view the affected triggers page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access to the phpMyAdmin interface, meaning that any user with valid credentials can potentially exploit this flaw. The XSS payload can execute in the victim's browser with the privileges of the victim user, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further privilege escalation within the phpMyAdmin environment.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database administrators and organizations using phpMyAdmin for database management. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only obtain legitimate credentials through phishing, credential reuse, or other means to gain access to this XSS vector. Once exploited, the malicious scripts could capture user sessions, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform unauthorized actions within the phpMyAdmin interface. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of database trigger management, which is essential for database administration tasks, making it a particularly insidious flaw that could go unnoticed for extended periods. Organizations relying on phpMyAdmin for database operations face potential data exposure and unauthorized access risks, particularly in environments where multiple administrators have access to the tool.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as a critical weakness in web application security. This classification emphasizes the fundamental nature of the flaw in the input validation and output encoding processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, which covers credential access through social engineering or exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The attack chain typically involves obtaining valid credentials, accessing the phpMyAdmin interface, creating malicious trigger names, and executing the XSS payload against other users. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to versions 4.0.10.1, 4.1.14.2, or 4.2.6 respectively, as well as implementing additional security measures such as input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments of web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious trigger creation activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where users have elevated privileges and where the impact of XSS attacks can be particularly severe.