CVE-2014-2890 in phpMyID
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the wrap_html function in MyID.php in phpMyID 0.9 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the openid_error parameter to MyID.config.php when the openid.mode parameter is set to error, which is not properly handled in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-2890 represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the phpMyID 0.9 authentication system that exposes users to potential malicious code execution. This issue specifically targets the wrap_html function in MyID.php, which fails to properly sanitize user input when processing OpenID error responses. The vulnerability becomes exploitable when the openid.mode parameter is set to error, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data flows directly into error messages without adequate sanitization mechanisms. The attack vector leverages the openid_error parameter in MyID.config.php, allowing remote adversaries to inject arbitrary web scripts or HTML content that gets executed in the context of authenticated users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the phpMyID application's error handling mechanism. When an OpenID authentication process encounters an error condition, the system should safely escape or encode any error messages before displaying them to users. However, the wrap_html function in MyID.php fails to implement proper HTML escaping for the openid_error parameter, creating a direct path for malicious payloads to be executed. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS vulnerability depending on how the input is processed. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the authentication flow where users trust the application to handle sensitive operations securely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, credential theft, or redirect users to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a malicious OpenID error response containing JavaScript payload that executes when the vulnerable application displays the error message, leading to unauthorized access to user accounts or data exfiltration. The attack requires minimal privileges as it operates entirely through web-based input manipulation, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Scripting and T1566.002 for Phishing, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious scripts through compromised authentication flows. The vulnerability affects any user interacting with the phpMyID application during OpenID error conditions, potentially compromising all authenticated sessions within the application's scope.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input sanitization and output encoding throughout the application's error handling processes. The most effective approach involves ensuring that all user-supplied data, particularly parameters like openid_error, undergoes HTML entity encoding before being rendered in error messages. This aligns with the OWASP Secure Coding practices and directly addresses the root cause of the vulnerability. Additionally, developers should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities, and consider implementing proper logging and monitoring of error conditions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix should be applied to the wrap_html function in MyID.php to ensure all error message parameters are properly escaped before display. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future development cycles, as this represents a fundamental security flaw in the application's data handling architecture.