CVE-2005-1619 in PHPMyChat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in (1) start_page.css.php3 (aka start-page.css.php3) or (2) style.css.php3 in PHPMyChat 0.14.5 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML commands via the FontName parameter. NOTE: it was later reported that 0.14.5 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1619 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness affecting PHPMyChat version 0.14.5 and potentially earlier versions. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct files within the application's codebase: start_page.css.php3 and style.css.php3, both of which are responsible for generating dynamic CSS content. The flaw occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user input provided through the FontName parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML commands directly into the application's output streams. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's visual presentation and potentially execute malicious code within the context of users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the PHPMyChat application. When users interact with the application and provide FontName parameter values through web forms or URL parameters, the application processes these inputs without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms. This creates a classic XSS attack vector where attacker-controlled content can be seamlessly integrated into the application's dynamic CSS generation process. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-79 as "Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')", which specifically addresses the failure to properly encode or escape user-provided data before incorporating it into web page content. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that CSS files are often processed by browsers with rich functionality that can execute embedded scripts, making these files prime targets for malicious exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1619 extends far beyond simple display manipulation, as it provides attackers with significant control over user sessions and potentially sensitive data. When successful, these XSS attacks can enable session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. Attackers can leverage the vulnerability to inject malicious JavaScript that captures user credentials, modifies application behavior, or redirects victims to phishing sites. The vulnerability affects not only the application's security posture but also compromises user trust and data integrity. Given that PHPMyChat is a web-based database management tool, the implications are particularly severe as users may be accessing sensitive database information through the vulnerable interface. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring any special privileges or local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where database administrators might be targeted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves implementing strict input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's codebase, particularly in the affected CSS generation files. All user-provided input should be sanitized using proper encoding functions such as htmlspecialchars() or similar mechanisms that prevent the interpretation of malicious content as executable code. Organizations should also implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to add an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution and limiting the sources from which content can be loaded. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring and logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other parts of the application, as the vulnerability demonstrates a systemic issue with how user input is handled throughout the PHPMyChat codebase.