CVE-2016-4855: ADOdb Cross-site scripting vulnerability in old test script

adodb/adodb-php Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

17/05/2022
Yes i
Moderate
6.1

CVE-2016-4855: ADOdb Cross-site scripting vulnerability in old test script. Affects adodb/adodb-php versions < 5.20.6. Fixed in 5.20.6. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2016-4855 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

ADOdb is a database abstraction library for PHP that provides a consistent interface for accessing various database systems. It is widely used in PHP applications to simplify database interactions and improve portability. ADOdb versions prior to 5.20.6 are affected by a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML into vulnerable applications.

Vulnerability Detail

The cross-site scripting vulnerability in ADOdb arises from inadequate input sanitization and validation. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts or HTML code into user-supplied input fields or URLs. When unsuspecting users interact with the affected application, the injected code gets executed in their browsers, potentially leading to various attacks such as session hijacking, defacement, or stealing sensitive information. The severity of this vulnerability is rated as MODERATE with a CVSS score of 6.1.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

5.20.6

This is the first release that contains the fix.

composer require adodb/adodb-php:5.20.6

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Workaround

If upgrading to the latest version is not immediately feasible, developers can implement input validation and sanitization techniques to mitigate the risk of cross-site scripting attacks. This involves carefully validating and filtering user-supplied input to remove or neutralize any potential malicious code. Additionally, implementing output encoding when displaying user-generated content can help prevent the execution of injected scripts.

Conclusion

The ADOdb cross-site scripting vulnerability (CVE-2016-4855) poses a moderate risk to applications using ADOdb versions prior to 5.20.6. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to the latest secure version of ADOdb (5.20.6 or later). Implementing input validation and output encoding techniques can provide temporary mitigation until the upgrade is completed. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into web pages viewed by other users. This can lead to various attacks, such as session hijacking, defacement, or stealing sensitive information.

If your application uses an older version of ADOdb (prior to 5.20.6), it is vulnerable to cross-site scripting attacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary scripts or HTML code in the context of your application, potentially compromising user data or performing unauthorized actions.

While specific exploit details are not provided, the existence of this vulnerability increases the risk of successful cross-site scripting attacks. It is crucial to promptly address this vulnerability by upgrading to the latest secure version of ADOdb.

There are no specific incidents reported for this vulnerability. However, cross-site scripting vulnerabilities are commonly exploited in the wild, and it is essential to address them promptly to prevent potential attacks on your application.

For more information about ADOdb, including its features, documentation, and security updates, you can visit the official ADOdb GitHub repository or the ADOdb website. Additionally, you can leverage vulnerability monitoring services like Vulert to stay informed about the latest security vulnerabilities in your software dependencies.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for adodb/adodb-php.

How To Fix

Minimum fixed version

5.20.6

This is the first release that contains the fix.

composer require adodb/adodb-php:5.20.6

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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