Overview
A significant security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-60796, has been discovered in phpPgAdmin versions 7.13.0 and earlier. This vulnerability exposes the application to multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks due to insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities can lead to arbitrary JavaScript execution within the context of a user’s browser, potentially allowing attackers to hijack sessions, steal credentials, and perform other malicious actions.
Technical Details
The root cause of these vulnerabilities lies in the lack of proper encoding or sanitization of user-supplied input received through $_REQUEST parameters. This unsanitized input is then reflected directly in the HTML output of several phpPgAdmin files, including but not limited to sequences.php, indexes.php, and admin.php.
Specifically, the following files are implicated:
Attackers can craft malicious URLs or forms containing JavaScript payloads. When a victim visits a compromised page, the unsanitized JavaScript will be executed in their browser. For example, a crafted URL might look like this (illustrative, actual payload may vary):
https://example.com/phppgadmin/admin.php?action=<script>alert('XSS')</script>CVSS Analysis
Currently, a CVSS score and severity rating for CVE-2025-60796 are not available (N/A). However, given the nature of XSS vulnerabilities, it is crucial to address this issue promptly. XSS vulnerabilities can range from low to high severity depending on the context and impact. A CVSS score will likely be assigned upon further analysis and exploitation details.
Possible Impact
The exploitation of these XSS vulnerabilities can have severe consequences:
- Session Hijacking: Attackers can steal a user’s session cookies, gaining unauthorized access to their phpPgAdmin account.
- Credential Theft: Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript to capture user credentials (usernames and passwords).
- Website Defacement: Attackers can modify the content of the phpPgAdmin interface.
- Redirection to Malicious Sites: Users can be redirected to phishing websites or sites containing malware.
- Privilege Escalation: In certain configurations, attackers might be able to escalate their privileges within the database environment.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The most effective way to mitigate these vulnerabilities is to upgrade to a patched version of phpPgAdmin as soon as one becomes available. Check the official phpPgAdmin website for updates.
In the interim, consider the following temporary mitigation measures (use with caution and thoroughly test):
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Implement a WAF with rules to detect and block common XSS attack patterns.
- Input Validation and Output Encoding: If possible, apply input validation and output encoding to the affected files. This involves sanitizing user input and encoding output before rendering it in HTML. This requires modification of the phpPgAdmin code, which is not recommended without proper expertise.
- Restrict Access: Limit access to the phpPgAdmin interface to trusted networks or users only.
Disclaimer: Modifying phpPgAdmin code without expertise can lead to instability or further vulnerabilities. Always back up your data and code before applying any changes.
