CVE-2013-5002 in phpMyAdmin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in libraries/schema/Export_Relation_Schema.class.php in phpMyAdmin 3.5.x before 3.5.8.2 and 4.0.x before 4.0.4.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted pageNumber value to schema_export.php.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2021
The CVE-2013-5002 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in phpMyAdmin versions 3.5.x prior to 3.5.8.2 and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.4.2. This vulnerability specifically affects the Export_Relation_Schema.class.php library component within the schema export functionality of the popular database administration tool. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied input parameters, particularly the pageNumber value, which is processed through the schema_export.php endpoint. This issue demonstrates a classic input validation and output encoding weakness that enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the pageNumber parameter in the schema_export.php script. When an authenticated user accesses the schema export functionality with a crafted pageNumber value containing malicious script content, the application fails to properly sanitize or encode this input before rendering it in the web response. This omission creates a persistent XSS vector that allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute in the browser context of other users who view the affected export page. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication to the phpMyAdmin instance, making it accessible to users with legitimate access rights who may not be aware of the security implications of their actions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to significant security risks including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the database management environment. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to steal user sessions, redirect victims to malicious sites, or inject additional malware into the browser environment. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the phpMyAdmin interface and can compromise the confidentiality of database operations, especially when users with elevated privileges access the affected functionality. The attack surface is broad as phpMyAdmin is widely deployed in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly impactful across multiple organizations.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor patches released for versions 3.5.8.2 and 4.0.4.2, implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied parameters, and establishing output encoding mechanisms for dynamic content. Additional defensive measures include restricting access to phpMyAdmin through network segmentation, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of database administration interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and the critical need for proper input sanitization in web applications handling user-generated content.