Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin: A Security Concern
Summary
CVE-2011-1940: Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.3.x before 3.3.10.1 and 3.4.x before 3.4.1 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted table name that triggers improper... Affects phpmyadmin versions < 4:3.4.1-1. Fixed in 4:3.4.1-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
phpMyAdmin is a widely-used open-source tool for managing MySQL databases through a web interface. It provides a user-friendly way to perform database operations such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases, tables, and records. However, certain versions of phpMyAdmin (3.3.x before 3.3.10.1 and 3.4.x before 3.4.1) are vulnerable to multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, which can compromise the security of applications relying on this tool.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerabilities arise from improper handling of user input in table names, which allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML. This can lead to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of the user, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing further attacks. The affected files include libraries/tbl_links.inc.php and tbl_tracking.php, where the lack of proper sanitization of input can be exploited.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4:3.4.1-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade phpmyadminTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If an immediate upgrade is not possible, consider disabling the affected features or restricting access to the phpMyAdmin interface to trusted users only. Implementing web application firewalls (WAF) can also help mitigate the risk of XSS attacks.
Conclusion
The cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin pose significant security risks to users and their applications. It is crucial to upgrade to a secure version and implement best practices to safeguard against potential attacks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can enhance your security posture by providing real-time monitoring for vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for phpmyadmin →
FAQ
XSS is a security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially compromising their data and session.
Check the version of phpMyAdmin you are using. If it is 3.3.x before 3.3.10.1 or 3.4.x before 3.4.1, it is vulnerable.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and further exploitation of your web applications.
Yes, Vulert can monitor your application for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities in your application without needing to sign up.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for phpmyadmin.
