phpMyAdmin: Cross-Site Request Forgery
CVE-2026-119426 is a high-severity cross-site request forgery vulnerability in phpMyAdmin, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected phpMyAdmin versions: 5.2.3 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.35% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of phpMyAdmin you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| phpMyAdmin | phpMyAdmin | 5.2.3 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 7.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.5 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
phpMyAdmin through 5.2.3 contains a cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL by bypassing CSRF token checks on non-AJAX POST requests. Attackers can lure authenticated victims into submitting cross-site POSTs carrying sql_query to /sql or /database/sql, running SQL with the victim's database privileges under http or config authentication.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Cross-Site Request Forgery
The web application does not, or cannot, sufficiently verify whether a request was intentionally provided by the user who sent the request, which could have originated from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, use anti-CSRF packages such as the OWASP CSRFGuard. Another example is the ESAPI Session Management control, which includes a component for CSRF.
- Ensure that the application is free of cross-site scripting issues (CWE-79), because most CSRF defenses can be bypassed using attacker-controlled script.
- Generate a unique nonce for each form, place the nonce into the form, and verify the nonce upon receipt of the form. Be sure that the nonce is not predictable (CWE-330).
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- github.com/phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin/commit/910322373f14ed4601c85234858f630f127569ef
- github.com/phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin/commit/d1e2b54b530685c24dd91181b9f64a5a64621789
- github.com/phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin/pull/20569
- vulncheck.com/advisories/phpmyadmin-through-5.2.3-csrf-token-bypass-via-non-ajax-post-to-sqlThird Party Advisory
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- abraxaslabs.tech/research/phpmyadmin-csrf-sqlExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
phpMyAdmin Remote Code Execution Exploited
Recent Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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