CVE-2013-3238

phpMyAdmin <3.5.8 and <4.0.0-rc3 - Authenticated RCE

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 3 public exploits for CVE-2013-3238. PoCs published by Metasploit, Janek, Vind, Ben Campbell, including Metasploit module exploits/multi/http/phpmyadmin_preg_replace.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits a PREG_REPLACE_EVAL vulnerability in phpMyAdmin (CVE-2013-3238) by leveraging the `replace_prefix_tbl` function to execute arbitrary PHP code. It authenticates with provided credentials, retrieves a CSRF token, and injects payload via the `from_prefix` and `to_prefix` parameters.

Description

phpMyAdmin 3.5.x before 3.5.8 and 4.x before 4.0.0-rc3 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code via a /e\x00 sequence, which is not properly handled before making a preg_replace function call within the "Replace table prefix" feature.

Exploits (3)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotephp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25136

This Metasploit module exploits a PREG_REPLACE_EVAL vulnerability in phpMyAdmin (CVE-2013-3238) by leveraging the `replace_prefix_tbl` function to execute arbitrary PHP code. It authenticates with provided credentials, retrieves a CSRF token, and injects payload via the `from_prefix` and `to_prefix` parameters.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: phpMyAdmin 3.5.x < 3.5.8.1 and 4.0.0 < 4.0.0-rc3
Auth required
Prerequisites: Valid phpMyAdmin credentials · PHP version <= 5.4.6 · Access to phpMyAdmin interface
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WRITEUP
webappsphp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25003

This is a detailed technical writeup describing multiple vulnerabilities in phpMyAdmin, including remote code execution via preg_replace() and local file inclusion. It provides root cause analysis, affected code snippets, and step-by-step exploitation instructions.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: phpMyAdmin 3.5.8 and 4.0.0-RC2
Auth required
Prerequisites: Valid phpMyAdmin user credentials · PHP version < 5.4.7 for preg_replace() exploit · Specific configuration settings for other vulnerabilities
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 19, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by Janek, Vind, Ben Campbell · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/phpmyadmin_preg_replace.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a PREG_REPLACE_EVAL vulnerability in phpMyAdmin (CVE-2013-3238) by leveraging the `preg_replace` function with the `/e` modifier to execute arbitrary PHP code. It authenticates, retrieves a CSRF token, and injects payload via the `replace_prefix_tbl` functionality.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: phpMyAdmin versions 3.5.x < 3.5.8.1 and 4.0.0 < 4.0.0-rc3
Auth required
Prerequisites: Valid phpMyAdmin credentials · PHP version <= 5.4.6
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (11)

Core 11
Core References
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://wiki.mageia.org/en/Support/Advisories/MGASA-2013-0133
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/25136
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_mandriva
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2013:160
Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/bugtraq/2013-04/0217.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_fedora
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/104936.html
Mailing List vendor-advisory x_refsource_suse
http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-updates/2013-06/msg00181.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_fedora
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/104770.html
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_fedora
http://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/package-announce/2013-May/104725.html

Scores

EPSS 0.2885
EPSS Percentile 97.9%

Details

Status published
Products (12)
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.0.0
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.1.0
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.2.0
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.2.1
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.2.2
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.3.0
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.4
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.5
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.6
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 3.5.7 (2 CPE variants)
... and 2 more
Published Apr 26, 2013
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026