{"id":"CVE-2016-10033","url":"https://www.cyber-defence.io/tools/cve/CVE-2016-10033","generatedAt":"2026-10-31T21:09:50.927Z","title":"PHPMailer Command Injection Vulnerability","description":"The mailSend function in the isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.18 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute arbitrary code via a \\\" (backslash double quote) in a crafted Sender property.","published":"2016-12-30T19:59:00.000Z","lastModified":"2026-06-17T00:38:55.000Z","status":"Analyzed","sourceIdentifier":"cve@mitre.org","cvss":{"version":"3.1","score":9.8,"severity":"CRITICAL","vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"},"cwe":["CWE-88"],"affected":["phpmailer project/phpmailer","wordpress/wordpress","joomla/joomla\\!"],"epss":{"score":0.99714,"percentile":0.99952,"date":"2026-10-30","history":[]},"kev":{"listed":true,"dateAdded":"2025-07-07","dueDate":"2025-07-28","knownRansomwareCampaignUse":"Unknown","notes":"Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.\nThis vulnerability could affect an open-source component, third-party library, protocol, or proprietary implementation that could be used by different products. For more information, please see: https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.18 ; https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-5f37-gxvh-23v6 ; https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10033"},"exploits":{"count":9,"verified":true,"firstPublished":"2016-12-25","source":"Exploit-DB (https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb)","entries":[{"edbId":42221,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.20 with Exim MTA - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42221","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/42221.py","file":"exploits/php/webapps/42221.py","published":"2017-06-21","added":"2017-06-21","updated":"2017-08-03","author":"phackt_ul","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10074","CVE-2016-10045","CVE-2016-10034","CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comPHPMailer-5.2.17.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":null},{"edbId":42024,"kind":"exploit","title":"WordPress Plugin PHPMailer 4.6 - Host Header Command Injection (Metasploit)","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42024","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/remote/42024.rb","file":"exploits/php/remote/42024.rb","published":"2017-05-17","added":"2017-05-17","updated":"2017-05-17","author":"Metasploit","type":"remote","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":true,"codes":["CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":"Metasploit Framework (MSF)","aliases":null,"applicationUrl":null,"screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/1f4ff30adb09c836dc9cb5f2c2024a244cebd08d/modules/exploits/unix/webapp/wp_phpmailer_host_header.rb"},{"edbId":41996,"kind":"exploit","title":"Vanilla Forums < 2.3 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41996","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/remote/41996.sh","file":"exploits/php/remote/41996.sh","published":"2017-05-11","added":"2017-05-12","updated":"2017-05-12","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"remote","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10073","CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":"vanilla-forums-rce-exploit.sh","applicationUrl":null,"screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://exploitbox.io/vuln/Vanilla-Forums-Exploit-RCE-0day-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10033.html"},{"edbId":41962,"kind":"exploit","title":"WordPress Core 4.6 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41962","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/linux/webapps/41962.sh","file":"exploits/linux/webapps/41962.sh","published":"2017-05-03","added":"2017-05-04","updated":"2017-05-04","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"webapps","platform":"linux","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comWordPress-4.6.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://exploitbox.io/vuln/WordPress-Exploit-4-6-RCE-CODE-EXEC-CVE-2016-10033.html"},{"edbId":40986,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.20 / SwiftMailer < 5.4.5-DEV / Zend Framework / zend-mail < 2.4.11 - 'AIO' 'PwnScriptum' Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40986","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/40986.py","file":"exploits/php/webapps/40986.py","published":"2017-01-02","added":"2017-01-02","updated":"2017-01-02","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10074","CVE-2016-10045","CVE-2016-10034","CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":"PwnScriptum","applicationUrl":null,"screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://legalhackers.com/videos/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-Vuln-CVE-2016-10033-PoC.html"},{"edbId":40974,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.18 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40974","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/40974.py","file":"exploits/php/webapps/40974.py","published":"2016-12-29","added":"2016-12-29","updated":"2016-12-29","author":"anarc0der","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comPHPMailer-5.2.17.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":null},{"edbId":40969,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.20 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40969","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/40969.py","file":"exploits/php/webapps/40969.py","published":"2016-12-27","added":"2016-12-28","updated":"2016-12-28","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10045","CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comPHPMailer-5.2.17.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10045-Vuln-Patch-Bypass.html"},{"edbId":40968,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.18 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40968","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/40968.sh","file":"exploits/php/webapps/40968.sh","published":"2016-12-26","added":"2016-12-26","updated":"2020-03-23","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":true,"codes":["CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comPHPMailer-5.2.17.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://github.com/opsxcq/exploit-CVE-2016-10033/commit/1f6642cf116ecb6b6b96b5ec966915d5100adfe3"},{"edbId":40970,"kind":"exploit","title":"PHPMailer < 5.2.18 - Remote Code Execution","url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40970","sourceUrl":"https://gitlab.com/exploit-database/exploitdb/-/blob/main/exploits/php/webapps/40970.php","file":"exploits/php/webapps/40970.php","published":"2016-12-25","added":"2016-12-28","updated":"2016-12-28","author":"Dawid Golunski","type":"webapps","platform":"php","port":null,"verified":false,"codes":["CVE-2016-10033"],"tags":null,"aliases":null,"applicationUrl":"http://www.exploit-db.comPHPMailer-5.2.17.zip","screenshotUrl":null,"referenceUrl":"https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10033-Vuln.html"}]},"verdict":{"level":"urgent","text":"Known to be exploited in the wild (CISA KEV, CISA remediation deadline 28 July 2025). Treat as an emergency change: patch or isolate now, then hunt for prior compromise."},"changes":[],"references":[{"url":"http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140291/PHPMailer-Remote-Code-Execution.html","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140350/PHPMailer-Sendmail-Argument-Injection.html","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/78","tags":["Mailing List","Patch","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/phpmailer_arg_injection","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/539963/100/0/threaded","tags":["Broken Link","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95108","tags":["Broken Link","Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037533","tags":["Broken Link","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer-security-advisory.html","tags":["Third Party Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.18","tags":["Patch","Vendor Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/About-the-CVE-2016-10033-and-CVE-2016-10045-vulnerabilities","tags":["Patch","Vendor Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10033-Vuln.html","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.drupal.org/psa-2016-004","tags":["Third Party Advisory"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40968/","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40969/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40970/","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40974/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40986/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41962/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41996/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42024/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42221/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"cve@mitre.org"},{"url":"http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140291/PHPMailer-Remote-Code-Execution.html","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140350/PHPMailer-Sendmail-Argument-Injection.html","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/78","tags":["Mailing List","Patch","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/phpmailer_arg_injection","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/539963/100/0/threaded","tags":["Broken Link","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95108","tags":["Broken Link","Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037533","tags":["Broken Link","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer-security-advisory.html","tags":["Third Party Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.18","tags":["Patch","Vendor Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/About-the-CVE-2016-10033-and-CVE-2016-10045-vulnerabilities","tags":["Patch","Vendor Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10033-Vuln.html","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.drupal.org/psa-2016-004","tags":["Third Party Advisory"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40968/","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40969/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40970/","tags":["Exploit","Patch","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40974/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40986/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41962/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41996/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42024/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42221/","tags":["Exploit","Third Party Advisory","VDB Entry"],"source":"af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"},{"url":"https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2016-10033","tags":["US Government Resource"],"source":"134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0"}],"sources":{"nvd":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10033","epss":"https://www.first.org/epss/","kev":"https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog","exploitdb":"https://www.exploit-db.com/"},"licence":"CC BY 4.0 — link back to the CVE Explorer if you publish the results; upstream data remains subject to its own terms."}