CVE-2014-8958 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.6, 4.1.x before 4.1.14.7, and 4.2.x before 4.2.12 allow remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted (1) database, (2) table, or (3) column name that is improperly handled during rendering of the table browse page; a crafted ENUM value that is improperly handled during rendering of the (4) table print view or (5) zoom search page; or (6) a crafted pma_fontsize cookie that is improperly handled during rendering of the home page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-8958 represents a critical cross-site scripting issue affecting phpMyAdmin versions prior to specific patched releases. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the web application's rendering pipeline, creating multiple attack vectors that allow authenticated users to inject malicious scripts into the application's interface. The flaw specifically targets the handling of user-supplied data during various rendering operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have legitimate access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans several distinct attack vectors that all share the common weakness of inadequate data sanitization. Attackers can exploit this through crafted database names, table names, or column names that are improperly escaped when displayed on the table browse page. Additionally, the vulnerability extends to ENUM values that are rendered during table print view and zoom search page operations, as well as through manipulation of the pma_fontsize cookie during home page rendering. Each of these vectors represents a separate entry point where user input bypasses proper sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious scripts to be executed in the context of other users' sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8958 is significant given that phpMyAdmin is widely used for database administration across numerous web applications and hosting environments. Since the vulnerability requires only authenticated access, it can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised accounts, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative privileges are shared among multiple users. The XSS payloads could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which identifies Cross-Site Scripting as a fundamental weakness in web application security, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation at multiple layers within web applications. The fact that the issue affects rendering operations across different pages indicates a systemic problem in how the application handles user-supplied data throughout its interface lifecycle. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive sanitization of all user-provided data, particularly in contexts where data is displayed back to users in web interfaces. The recommended mitigations include immediate patching to the affected versions, implementing proper input sanitization, and establishing robust content security policies to limit the impact of any potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection mechanisms to identify suspicious activities related to database naming conventions or cookie manipulation that could indicate exploitation attempts.