Security readout for executives and security teams
CVE-2016-10045 affects PHPMailer before 5.2.20. In some applications, attacker-controlled email input could be mishandled when PHPMailer uses PHP's mail transport, allowing extra command parameters and possible server-side code execution. This is a bypass of an earlier PHPMailer fix, so legacy systems that patched only CVE-2016-10033 may still be exposed. Exposure is most likely in legacy PHP applications using PHPMailer versions earlier than 5.2.20, especially mail/contact forms that pass user-controlled sender data into PHPMailer and use the mail transport. Applications bundling old PHPMailer copies require separate review. Treat this as a high-priority legacy exposure issue. It can become server compromise where vulnerable PHPMailer mail paths are reachable. Prioritize internet-facing PHP applications and packaged CMS deployments, but avoid claiming current active exploitation from these sources alone. Mitigation focus: Upgrade PHPMailer to 5.2.20 or later, following vendor guidance.; Inventory applications that bundle PHPMailer rather than using package-managed dependencies.; Review CMS or framework advisories for embedded PHPMailer copies..
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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Execution behavior lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2016-10045 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
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CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 42221CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- 40969CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/About-the-CVE-2016-10033-and-CVE-2016-10045-vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.20CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- 40986CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
- https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10045-Vuln-Patch-Bypass.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer-security-advisory.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
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