CVE-2020-10804 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
In phpMyAdmin 4.x before 4.9.5 and 5.x before 5.0.2, a SQL injection vulnerability was found in retrieval of the current username (in libraries/classes/Server/Privileges.php and libraries/classes/UserPassword.php). A malicious user with access to the server could create a crafted username, and then trick the victim into performing specific actions with that user account (such as editing its privileges).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
This vulnerability exists within phpMyAdmin versions 4.x prior to 4.9.5 and 5.x prior to 5.0.2, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that specifically targets the username retrieval mechanism. The vulnerability is located in two key files within the phpMyAdmin codebase: libraries/classes/Server/Privileges.php and libraries/classes/UserPassword.php, where the application fails to properly sanitize user input during username processing. The flaw allows an attacker with server access to craft malicious usernames that can be exploited to manipulate database operations through SQL injection techniques. This vulnerability operates at the application level rather than the database level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass authentication mechanisms and escalate privileges within the phpMyAdmin interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a malicious user to first gain access to the server hosting phpMyAdmin, then create a specially crafted username that contains malicious SQL payloads. When the vulnerable application processes this crafted username during privilege operations, the unsanitized input gets directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or parameterization. This creates a classic SQL injection vector that can be used to extract sensitive information, modify user permissions, or potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database system. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege management functionality where usernames are retrieved and processed, making it particularly dangerous for database administrators who rely on phpMyAdmin for user management tasks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to effectively take control of user accounts and their associated permissions within the phpMyAdmin environment. An attacker could craft usernames that, when processed by the vulnerable application, would allow them to escalate privileges, modify access controls, or even create new administrative accounts. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where phpMyAdmin is used for database administration, as it could enable unauthorized access to sensitive databases and potentially lead to broader system compromise. The attack vector relies on social engineering elements where victims must be tricked into performing actions with the maliciously crafted user accounts, making it a sophisticated attack requiring both technical exploitation and user manipulation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws in software applications, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent direct SQL query construction from user-controllable input. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access, as attackers could leverage the SQL injection to gain elevated privileges within the database management system. Organizations using affected phpMyAdmin versions should immediately implement security patches to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation increases with the time between vulnerability disclosure and patch deployment. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to phpMyAdmin versions 4.9.5 or 5.0.2, which contain proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent the injection of malicious SQL content during username processing operations.