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CVE Record

CVE-2023-25727: In phpMyAdmin before 4.9.11 and 5.x before 5.2.1, an authenticated user can trigger XSS by uploading a craf...

In phpMyAdmin before 4.9.11 and 5.x before 5.2.1, an authenticated user can trigger XSS by uploading a crafted .sql file through the drag-and-drop interface.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-25727 is a phpMyAdmin cross-site scripting issue. A logged-in user could upload a crafted SQL file through drag-and-drop and trigger script execution in a victim’s browser. Business risk is mainly account/session exposure or unauthorized actions within phpMyAdmin context, not direct server takeover.

Executive priority

Treat as a normal-priority security update for systems with phpMyAdmin access. Prioritize internet-accessible or shared admin portals first, but the available evidence does not support emergency response language.

Technical view

phpMyAdmin before 4.9.11 and 5.x before 5.2.1 are affected by CWE-79 XSS via crafted .sql upload through the drag-and-drop interface. CVSS 3.1 is 5.4 with network access, low complexity, low privileges, required user interaction, changed scope, and low confidentiality/integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely where phpMyAdmin is deployed and accessible to authenticated users, especially shared administrator environments. Systems already on 4.9.11, 5.2.1, or vendor-fixed packages should not be affected based on the supplied version ranges.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation requires an authenticated user and user interaction with a crafted SQL upload path, reducing urgency compared with unauthenticated remote flaws.

Researcher notes

The key constraints are authenticated access and required user interaction. The vulnerable surface is the drag-and-drop SQL upload workflow. Available source metadata identifies XSS only; it does not establish exploit availability, broad product impact beyond phpMyAdmin, or bypass-specific details.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade phpMyAdmin to 4.9.11, 5.2.1, or later vendor-supported releases.
  • Apply Debian LTS package updates where Debian-maintained phpMyAdmin packages are used.
  • Restrict phpMyAdmin access to trusted administrative users only.
  • Review vendor guidance before using compensating controls as a substitute for patching.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory all phpMyAdmin deployments and record exact versions.
  • Flag 4.x versions before 4.9.11 and 5.x versions before 5.2.1.
  • Confirm Debian systems include the relevant LTS security update if applicable.
  • Review phpMyAdmin authentication exposure and administrator account access.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup

Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-25727 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.4CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-25727Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-79

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.