Critical XSS Vulnerability in phpMyAdmin: Multiple Attack Vectors
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2011-4634: Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before 3.4.8 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) a crafted database name, related to the Database Synchronize pane... Affects phpmyadmin versions < 4:3.4.8-1. Fixed in 4:3.4.8-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
phpMyAdmin is a widely used open-source tool written in PHP, designed to handle the administration of MySQL databases through a web interface. It allows users to perform various database operations such as creating, modifying, and deleting databases and tables, executing SQL queries, and managing users. However, versions 3.4.x prior to 3.4.8 are vulnerable to multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, which can be exploited by remote attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation in phpMyAdmin 3.4.x before version 3.4.8. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious database names or SQL queries that are processed by the application, leading to XSS attacks. The potential ramifications include unauthorized access to sensitive information, session hijacking, and defacement of the web interface. Specifically, the vulnerabilities are associated with the Database Synchronize panel, Database rename panel, table overview panel, view creation dialog, table search dialog, and create index dialog.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
4:3.4.8-1
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
As a temporary workaround, users can restrict access to the phpMyAdmin interface by implementing IP whitelisting or using a web application firewall (WAF) to filter out malicious requests. Additionally, disabling features that allow user input in the affected panels can mitigate the risk until the package is updated.
Conclusion
The identified XSS vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin versions prior to 3.4.8 pose significant risks to users. It is crucial to update to the latest version to protect against potential attacks. Implementing workarounds can provide temporary relief, but a permanent fix through updates is essential for long-term security.
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FAQ
phpMyAdmin is a free and open-source web-based application for managing MySQL databases.
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities allow attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
Implement temporary workarounds such as IP whitelisting or using a web application firewall to mitigate the risk.
Failing to address this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential loss of sensitive information.
References
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