CVE-2012-0834 in phpLDAPadmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in lib/QueryRender.php in phpLDAPadmin 1.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the base parameter in a query_engine action to cmd.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The CVE-2012-0834 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the phpLDAPadmin web application framework that affects versions 1.2.2 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the lib/QueryRender.php component and specifically targets the base parameter handling within the query_engine action of the cmd.php script. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of other users' browsers who interact with the vulnerable application, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on ldap administrative interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the phpLDAPadmin application's query rendering functionality. When users navigate to the query engine interface and provide a base parameter through the cmd.php script, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode the input data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where attacker-controlled data can be seamlessly injected into the application's response, allowing malicious scripts to execute within the victim's browser context. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes the base parameter without adequate protection against script injection attacks, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where administrative access is required.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete session hijacking, data exfiltration, and privilege escalation within the ldap administrative environment. An attacker could craft malicious payloads that steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or even execute commands on the server if additional vulnerabilities exist. The vulnerability affects all users who access the phpLDAPadmin interface, particularly administrators who may have elevated privileges, making the potential damage significantly greater than typical XSS attacks. Organizations using vulnerable versions of phpLDAPadmin face risks of unauthorized access to sensitive directory information, potential compromise of user authentication credentials, and possible lateral movement within network infrastructure that relies on ldap services.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to phpLDAPadmin versions 1.2.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the updated application to ensure all functionality remains intact while eliminating the XSS vector. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection during the upgrade process, though these should not be considered permanent solutions. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their ldap administrative interfaces and implement proper input validation frameworks to prevent similar issues in other applications. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of how improper input handling can create persistent security weaknesses in web applications. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK techniques for initial access and execution, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to establish footholds within target environments. Regular security audits and code reviews should be implemented to identify similar input validation gaps that could enable other forms of injection attacks.