CVE-2025-60796 identifies multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in phpPgAdmin version 7.13.0 and earlier. The root cause is the reflection of unsanitized user input from $_REQUEST parameters directly into HTML output across several PHP files such as sequences.php, indexes.php, and admin.php. This lack of proper encoding or sanitization allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser when they visit a crafted URL or interact with malicious content. The vulnerability leverages the common CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation) weakness. Exploitation does not require authentication but does require user interaction (e.g., clicking a malicious link). The CVSS v3.1 score is 6.1 (medium), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but user interaction needed, and partial impact on confidentiality and integrity. While no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability poses risks such as session hijacking, credential theft, and potential further attacks leveraging stolen session tokens. The vulnerability affects phpPgAdmin, a widely used web-based administration tool for PostgreSQL databases, commonly deployed in enterprise and public sector environments for database management.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for those relying on phpPgAdmin for PostgreSQL database administration. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and potentially access sensitive database information. This compromises confidentiality and integrity of data managed via phpPgAdmin. Financial institutions, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators using PostgreSQL with phpPgAdmin interfaces are particularly at risk due to the sensitive nature of their data. Additionally, session hijacking could facilitate lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise. The vulnerability does not directly affect availability but can indirectly impact operational security and trust. The requirement for user interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted phishing or social engineering campaigns could be effective. Given the widespread use of PostgreSQL and phpPgAdmin in Europe, especially in countries with strong IT sectors and public administration digitalization, the threat is relevant and warrants prompt mitigation.

To mitigate CVE-2025-60796, organizations should first upgrade phpPgAdmin to a version where these XSS vulnerabilities are patched once available. In the absence of an official patch, implement strict input validation and output encoding on all user-supplied data reflected in HTML output, particularly in sequences.php, indexes.php, admin.php, and other affected components. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. Limit access to phpPgAdmin interfaces to trusted networks or via VPN and enforce strong authentication mechanisms to reduce exposure. Educate users about phishing risks to minimize successful exploitation via social engineering. Regularly audit web application logs for suspicious activity indicative of attempted XSS attacks. Consider deploying web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting XSS payloads specific to phpPgAdmin. Finally, monitor security advisories from phpPgAdmin maintainers for official patches and updates.