phpMyAdmin 2.11.9.1 server_databases.php sort_by input validation
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in phpMyAdmin 2.11.9.1. The affected element is an unknown function of the file server_databases.php. This manipulation of the argument sort_by causes input validation. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2008-4096. In addition, an exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability was found in phpMyAdmin 2.11.9.1 (Database Administration Software). It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file server_databases.php. The manipulation of the argument sort_by with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does
not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the
properties that are required to process the data safely and
correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, and integrity. The summary by CVE is:
libraries/database_interface.lib.php in phpMyAdmin before 2.11.9.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a request to server_databases.php with a sort_by parameter containing PHP sequences, which are processed by create_function.
The weakness was presented 09/16/2008 by Norman Hippert (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at phpmyadmin.net. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2008-4096 since 09/15/2008. The attack can be launched remotely. The successful exploitation needs a single authentication. Technical details and also a public exploit are known.
It is possible to download the exploit at exploit-db.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $25k-$100k. By approaching the search of inurl:server_databases.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 34287 (Fedora 9 : phpMyAdmin-2.11.9.1-1.fc9 (2008-8370)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Fedora Local Security Checks and running in the context l.
Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at phpmyadmin.net. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. A possible mitigation has been published 1 days after the disclosure of the vulnerability.
The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (45157), Exploit-DB (32383), Tenable (34287), SecurityFocus (BID 31188†) and OSVDB (48154†). See VDB-3787 and VDB-3835 for similar entries. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Name
Version
License
Website
- Product: https://www.phpmyadmin.net/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.4VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Input validationCWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍
Google Hack: 🔍
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Nessus ID: 34287
Nessus Name: Fedora 9 : phpMyAdmin-2.11.9.1-1.fc9 (2008-8370)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍
OpenVAS ID: 61644
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 1641-1 (phpmyadmin)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍
Exploit-DB: 🔍
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍
Patch: phpmyadmin.net
Timeline
09/15/2008 🔍09/16/2008 🔍
09/16/2008 🔍
09/17/2008 🔍
09/18/2008 🔍
09/19/2008 🔍
09/25/2008 🔍
09/25/2008 🔍
09/16/2025 🔍
Sources
Product: phpmyadmin.netAdvisory: phpmyadmin.net
Researcher: Norman Hippert
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍
CVE: CVE-2008-4096 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-4096
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-3823
OVAL: 🔍
X-Force: 45157 - phpMyAdmin server_databases.php code execution, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 31188
Secunia: 32034 - Fedora update for phpMyAdmin, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 48154 - phpMyAdmin server_databases.php sort_by Variable Arbitrary PHP Code Execution
Vupen: ADV-2008-2619
scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍
Entry
Created: 09/19/2008 14:43Updated: 09/16/2025 12:07
Changes: 09/19/2008 14:43 (85), 09/11/2017 16:34 (2), 03/16/2021 19:20 (3), 09/16/2025 12:07 (23)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:DB5:103
No comments yet. Languages: en.
Please log in to comment.