phpMyAdmin up to 2.11.9.1 sort_by input validation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.9$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in phpMyAdmin up to 2.11.9.1. The impacted element is an unknown function. This manipulation of the argument sort_by causes input validation. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2008-4096. Furthermore, an exploit is available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in phpMyAdmin up to 2.11.9.1 (Database Administration Software). Affected by this vulnerability is some unknown processing. 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 bug was discovered 09/14/2008. The weakness was published 09/22/2008 by Norman Hippert with Norman (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. Required for exploitation is 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. The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 3 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. 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 even before and not 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†). Similar entries are available at VDB-3787 and VDB-3823. Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9

VulDB Base Score: 5.4
VulDB Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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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 Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Patch: phpmyadmin.net

Timelineinfo

09/14/2008 🔍
09/14/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/15/2008 +1 days 🔍
09/15/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/16/2008 +1 days 🔍
09/17/2008 +0 days 🔍
09/18/2008 +1 days 🔍
09/22/2008 +4 days 🔍
09/25/2008 +3 days 🔍
09/29/2008 +4 days 🔍
10/17/2008 +18 days 🔍
09/16/2025 +6178 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: phpmyadmin.net

Advisory: phpmyadmin.net
Researcher: Norman Hippert
Organization: Norman
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2008-4096 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-4096
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-3835

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 45157
SecurityFocus: 31188 - phpMyAdmin 'server_databases.php' Remote Command Execution Vulnerability
Secunia: 31884 - phpMyAdmin "sort_by" PHP Code Execution, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 48154 - phpMyAdmin server_databases.php sort_by Variable Arbitrary PHP Code Execution
Vulnerability Center: 19620 - phpMyAdmin server_databases.php Vulnerability Allows Remote Code Execution, Medium
Vupen: ADV-2008-2585

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 10/17/2008 11:31
Updated: 09/16/2025 12:07
Changes: 10/17/2008 11:31 (90), 08/17/2019 18:00 (3), 09/16/2025 12:07 (22)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:958:103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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