CVE-2016-5734
CriticalExploitedPublic exploitphpMyAdmin Code Injection vulnerability
Published May 17, 2022 · Updated Aug 13, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2016-5734, GHSA-rv57-479x-x4qv, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-5734
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-5734 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting phpMyAdmin, phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin (composer).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 10, 2024. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 81% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including phpMyAdmin 4:4.6.3-1, phpMyAdmin 4.6.5.2-1.1, phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 4.0.10.16.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
81%
Higher than 99.6% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2016-5734 brief as a PDF
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Description
phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not properly choose delimiters to prevent use of the preg_replace e (aka eval) modifier, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted string, as demonstrated by the table search-and-replace implementation.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | May 10, 2024 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
74 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| phpMyAdminPhpmyadmin | 4.0.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.10, 4.0.10.1, 4.0.10.10, 4.0.10.11, 4.0.10.12, 4.0.10.13 | 4:4.6.3-1 |
| phpmyadmin/phpmyadmincomposer | >= 4.6.0 | 4.6.3 |
Patched Releases
phpMyAdmin
4:4.6.3-1, 4.6.5.2-1.1
phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin
4.0.10.16, 4.4.15.7, 4.6.3
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
May 17, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
May 10, 2024
Last updated
Aug 13, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
References
- advisoryGHSA advisory
- advisoryhttps://github.com/phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin/commit/1cc7466db3a05e95fe57a6702f41773e6829d54b
- advisoryhttps://github.com/phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin/commit/4bcc606225f15bac0b07780e74f667f6ac283da7
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-5734
- advisoryGLSA-201701-32
FAQ
Common Questions.
phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not properly choose delimiters to prevent use of the preg_replace e (aka eval) modifier, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted string, as demonstrated by the table search-and-replace implement…
Affected: phpMyAdmin versions 4.0.0, 4.0.1, 4.0.10, 4.0.10.1, 4.0.10.10, 4.0.10.11, 4.0.10.12, 4.0.10.13; phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin (composer) versions >= 4.6.0. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since May 10, 2024.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including phpMyAdmin 4:4.6.3-1, phpMyAdmin 4.6.5.2-1.1, phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin 4.0.10.16.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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