CVE-2007-5589 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Muliple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin before 2.11.1.2 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via certain input available in (1) PHP_SELF in (a) server_status.php, and (b) grab_globals.lib.php, (c) display_change_password.lib.php, and (d) common.lib.php in libraries/; and certain input available in PHP_SELF and (2) PATH_INFO in libraries/common.inc.php. NOTE: there might also be other vectors related to (3) REQUEST_URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5589 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting phpMyAdmin versions prior to 2.11.1.2, specifically targeting the web application's handling of user input through multiple vectors including PHP_SELF, PATH_INFO, and REQUEST_URI parameters. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web output rendering, making it a classic example of an XSS attack vector that can be exploited by remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of phpMyAdmin, which serves as a widely-used database management tool for MySQL databases, potentially exposing millions of users to security risks.
The technical exploitation occurs through improper sanitization of input parameters that are directly incorporated into HTML output without adequate encoding or validation. Attackers can manipulate the PHP_SELF parameter in multiple files including server_status.php, grab_globals.lib.php, display_change_password.lib.php, and common.lib.php within the libraries directory, as well as PATH_INFO parameters in libraries/common.inc.php. These vectors represent different pathways through which malicious input can be injected into the application's output, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script injection as it can be leveraged to perform session hijacking, defacement of web pages, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as phpMyAdmin is commonly used by web administrators, developers, and database managers for managing MySQL databases through web interfaces. When exploited, the XSS vulnerability can allow attackers to steal session cookies, modify database contents, or redirect users to phishing sites, potentially leading to complete compromise of database systems. The vulnerability affects the application's security model by undermining the trust boundary between legitimate users and the web interface, enabling attackers to execute malicious code in the context of authenticated sessions. This represents a significant threat to database security, particularly in environments where phpMyAdmin is exposed to untrusted users or where administrative privileges are compromised.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected parameters including PHP_SELF, PATH_INFO, and REQUEST_URI. Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpMyAdmin version 2.11.1.2 or later, which includes fixes for these XSS vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers, input sanitization routines, and regular security audits can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell', as the XSS attack can be used to deliver malicious PowerShell scripts or other payloads through browser-based exploitation. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation of these vectors, particularly focusing on unusual PATH_INFO or REQUEST_URI parameters that could indicate malicious injection attempts.