CVE-2016-10045
CriticalPublic exploitRemote code execution in PHPMailer
Published Mar 5, 2020 · Updated Jul 8, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2016-10045, GHSA-4pc3-96mx-wwc8, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-10045
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-10045 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Joomla\!, Phpmailer (Phpmailer Project), Wordpress and 4 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Joomla\! 3.6.5, libphp-phpmailer 5.2.14+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, libphp-phpmailer 5.2.14+dfsg-2.3+deb9u2ubuntu0.1~esm1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
98%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2016-10045 brief as a PDF
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Description
The isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.20 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging improper interaction between the escapeshellarg function and internal escaping performed in the mail function in PHP. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2016-10033.
Affected Products
21 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Joomla\!Joomla | See advisory | 3.6.5 |
| PhpmailerPhpmailer Project | See advisory | 5.2.20 |
| WordpressWordpress | See advisory | 4.7 |
| php5-phpmaileralpine | See advisory | 5.2.0-r1 |
| php-phpmaileralpine | See advisory | 5.2.4-r0 |
Patched Releases
Joomla\!
3.6.5
libphp-phpmailer
5.2.14+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 5.2.14+dfsg-2.3+deb9u2ubuntu0.1~esm1, 6.0.6-0.1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 6.2.0-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
php-phpmailer
5.2.4-r0
php5-phpmailer
5.2.0-r1, 5.2.4-r1
Phpmailer
5.2.20
phpmailer/phpmailer
5.2.20
Wordpress
4.7.1-1, 4.7
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 5, 2020
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-77 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
References
- advisory[oss-security] 20161228 Re: PHPMailer < 5.2.18 Remote Code Execution [updated advisory] [CVE-2016-10033]
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140286/PHPMailer-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- advisoryhttp://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140350/PHPMailer-Sendmail-Argument-Injection.html
- advisoryhttps://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer-security-advisory.html
- advisory20161227 PHPMailer < 5.2.20 Remote Code Execution PoC 0day Exploit (CVE-2016-10045) (Bypass of the CVE-2016-1033 patch)
FAQ
Common Questions.
The isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.20 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging improper interaction between the escapeshellarg function and internal escaping performed in the mail function in PHP.
Affected: Joomla\!; Phpmailer (Phpmailer Project); Wordpress, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Joomla\! 3.6.5, libphp-phpmailer 5.2.14+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, libphp-phpmailer 5.2.14+dfsg-2.3+deb9u2ubuntu0.1~esm1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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