CVE-2007-2865 in phpPgAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in sqledit.php in phpPgAdmin 4.1.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the server parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/16/2025
The CVE-2007-2865 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in phpPgAdmin version 4.1.1, specifically within the sqledit.php component. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of injection attacks and is classified as CWE-79 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially leading to unauthorized actions or data theft. The vulnerability manifests through the improper sanitization of the server parameter, which is processed without adequate input validation or output encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when phpPgAdmin fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input from the server parameter before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and submits it through this parameter, the application processes the input without sufficient sanitization measures, allowing the injected script to be executed in the victim's browser. This creates a persistent security risk where the malicious code can access cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information that the victim's browser has access to, potentially enabling session hijacking or other advanced attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the context of web application security. Attackers can use this vulnerability to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the sqledit.php page in the affected phpPgAdmin version, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators frequently use the application. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation tools and less sophisticated attackers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2865 should focus on immediate patching of the phpPgAdmin application to version 4.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution, while regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing via Social Engineering) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) as attackers may use the vulnerability to establish persistent access or execute malicious commands. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental requirements in secure software development lifecycle processes and align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.