Known exploited · PHP
CVE-2016-10033: PHPMailer Command Injection Vulnerability
What it is
PHPMailer contains a command injection vulnerability because it fails to sanitize user-supplied input. Specifically, this issue affects the 'mail()' function of 'class.phpmailer.php' script. An attacker can exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application. Failed exploit attempts will result in a denial-of-service condition.
- Vendor
- PHP
- Product
- PHPMailer
- Added to KEV
- July 7, 2025
- CISA due date
- July 28, 2025
- Ransomware use
- Unknown
What CISA requires
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Forensic triage
No
What to do now
- Find every instance of PHPMailer you run, including the forgotten ones, and check its version against the vendor advisory.
- Apply the vendor's fix or mitigation, before July 28, 2025 if you are bound by CISA's deadline, sooner if it faces the internet.
- Assume it was tried against you already: look for signs of exploitation from the date it was added, not from the day you patched.
References
H2 Security
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Start freeSource: CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (public domain), catalog version 2026.10.01.