CVE-2005-0543 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in phpMyAdmin 2.6.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and web script via (1) the strServer, cfg[BgcolorOne], or strServerChoice parameters in select_server.lib.php, (2) the bg_color or row_no parameters in display_tbl_links.lib.php, the left_font_family parameter in theme_left.css.php, or the right_font_family parameter in theme_right.css.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2025
The CVE-2005-0543 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in phpMyAdmin version 2.6.1 that exposes web applications to remote code execution risks through malicious HTML injection. This vulnerability specifically targets multiple parameter injection points within the phpMyAdmin framework, creating pathways for attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of victim browsers. The flaw resides in the application's insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious payloads to be stored and subsequently executed when legitimate users access affected pages. The vulnerability affects core components including select_server.lib.php, display_tbl_links.lib.php, and theme CSS files, demonstrating the widespread nature of the XSS weakness across different application modules.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation in several key files within the phpMyAdmin codebase. Attackers can inject malicious scripts through the strServer, cfg[BgcolorOne], or strServerChoice parameters in select_server.lib.php which are processed without proper sanitization. Additionally, the bg_color or row_no parameters in display_tbl_links.lib.php, along with left_font_family and right_font_family parameters in theme CSS files, all present injection vectors that bypass security controls. These parameters are directly incorporated into HTML output without appropriate encoding or filtering, creating persistent XSS conditions where malicious scripts execute in the context of authenticated users' browsers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness involving improper neutralization of input during web page generation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to encompass potential data theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within affected web applications. When authenticated users access compromised phpMyAdmin interfaces, their browser sessions become vulnerable to manipulation by attackers who can execute malicious code to steal cookies, session tokens, or access sensitive database information. The persistent nature of the XSS vulnerability means that once injected, malicious scripts continue to execute each time affected pages are loaded, creating ongoing security risks for database administrators and users. This vulnerability particularly affects database management interfaces where users have elevated privileges, making the potential impact significantly more severe than typical XSS flaws in less privileged contexts. The attack surface includes not only the phpMyAdmin interface itself but also any web applications that utilize phpMyAdmin for database administration and that have not implemented proper security mitigations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0543 require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding controls across all affected parameters. Organizations should upgrade to phpMyAdmin versions that address this vulnerability, as the original 2.6.1 release contains no built-in protections against the identified injection vectors. Security measures must include proper HTML encoding of all user-supplied input before rendering in web pages, implementing Content Security Policy headers to restrict script execution, and employing regular input validation routines to detect and reject malicious payloads. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under web application attacks, specifically targeting the T1059.007 technique for command and script injection. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to phpMyAdmin interfaces, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and conduct regular security audits of web application code to identify similar input validation weaknesses that could be exploited in similar fashion. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts targeting these specific parameter injection points.