CVE-2010-2958 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in libraries/Error.class.php in phpMyAdmin 3.x before 3.3.6 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via vectors related to a PHP backtrace and error messages (aka debugging messages), a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-3056.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2958 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyAdmin web application framework that affects versions 3.x prior to 3.3.6. This issue specifically targets the Error.class.php library file which handles error reporting and debugging functionality within the application. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of error messages and PHP backtrace information that are displayed to users during application errors or debugging sessions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that triggers error conditions, causing the application to display unfiltered error messages containing executable script code directly in the browser context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters that lead to error conditions within the phpMyAdmin application. When phpMyAdmin encounters an error during processing, it generates detailed error messages including PHP backtrace information that contains variable contents and execution paths. The flaw exists because these debugging messages are displayed to end users without proper HTML escaping or sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users who view these error pages. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web pages without adequate validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. When authenticated users view error pages containing malicious scripts, the injected code executes with the privileges of the affected user, potentially allowing attackers to access sensitive database information, modify database content, or escalate their privileges within the application. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where different users may encounter different error conditions, creating multiple potential attack vectors. This issue is distinct from CVE-2010-3056 as it specifically targets the error handling mechanism rather than other input validation flaws, making it a more targeted attack vector that leverages the application's debugging capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected phpMyAdmin installations to version 3.3.6 or later where the error handling has been properly secured. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output sanitization measures throughout their web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. The remediation process should include disabling debugging mode in production environments and implementing proper error handling that does not expose internal application details to end users. Security best practices recommend that error messages should never contain raw variable contents or execution paths that could be exploited by attackers, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1211 which covers the exploitation of error handling mechanisms. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks that may attempt to exploit this vulnerability.