CVE-2005-3787 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin before 2.6.4-pl4 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the cookie-based login panel, (2) the title parameter and (3) the table creation dialog.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3787 represents a critical security flaw in phpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.6.4-pl4 that exposes the application to multiple cross-site scripting attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically affects the cookie-based login panel functionality, the title parameter handling, and the table creation dialog interface, creating three distinct entry points for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web script or HTML code into the application. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within these specific components, allowing attackers to manipulate user sessions and potentially execute malicious code in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered back to users, creating opportunities for attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the victim's browser context. In the case of phpMyAdmin, the cookie-based login panel represents a particularly dangerous vector since successful exploitation could allow attackers to hijack user sessions and gain unauthorized access to database management interfaces. The title parameter and table creation dialog components further compound the risk by providing additional injection points where malicious code could be executed when users interact with these features.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates potential for session hijacking, data theft, and privilege escalation within the database management environment. Attackers could leverage these XSS vulnerabilities to steal authentication cookies, execute arbitrary commands, or redirect users to malicious websites. The cookie-based login panel vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly targets the authentication mechanism, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain full access to database management capabilities. The table creation dialog represents another significant risk area where attackers could inject malicious code that would execute when other users view or interact with database tables, creating persistent attack vectors within the application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding across all user-supplied data entry points within phpMyAdmin. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 2.6.4-pl4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address these XSS vulnerabilities. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper content security policies, enabling HTTPOnly flags on session cookies, and conducting regular security assessments of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, emphasizing the importance of validating all inputs and properly escaping outputs to prevent malicious code execution. Security teams should also implement web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit these vulnerabilities.