CVE-2009-1151: phpMyAdmin Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

100

Patch now

CRITICAL 9.8EXPLOITEDREMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2009-1151 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting phpmyadmin, debian linux, reported as exploited in the wild. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Static code injection vulnerability in setup.php in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.9.5 and 3.x before 3.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a configuration file via the save action.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV)
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	96.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	Yes, fix due 2022-04-15
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2009-03-26
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: debian · phpmyadmin

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-03-26 14:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2022-03-25Exploited Added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
2022-04-15Deadline CISA due date for US federal agencies to patch
2026-06-16 23:06 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.11.0 and < 2.11.9.5 · >= 3.0.0 and < 3.1.3.1

Fixed in: 2.11.9.5, 3.1.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.11.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy phpmyadmin || rpm -q phpmyadmin || phpmyadmin --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.11.9.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phpmyadmin

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade phpmyadmin

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.11.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpmyadmin sudo apt install phpmyadmin=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.11.0> sudo apt-mark hold phpmyadmin

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list phpmyadmin sudo dnf downgrade phpmyadmin-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.11.0> sudo dnf versionlock add phpmyadmin

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 4.0 · 5.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · rust-ingredients · FIXED · 0.3.3-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-0b3d9feffd · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-0b3d9feffd

Fedora ELN · dpkg · FIXED · 1.23.11-2.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-732e4ac21b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-732e4ac21b

Debian 12 · phpmyadmin · FIXED · 4:3.1.3.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phpmyadmin dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' phpmyadmin)" ge "4:3.1.3.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · phpmyadmin · FIXED · 4:3.1.3.1-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phpmyadmin dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' phpmyadmin)" ge "4:3.1.3.1-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: pagvac/pocs (6 stars)
GitHub PoC: e-Thug/PhpMyAdmin (1 stars)
GitHub PoC: tpdlshdmlrkfmcla/ZmEu (0 stars)
Exploit-DB: phpMyAdmin - '/scripts/setup.php' PHP Code Injection
Exploit-DB: phpMyAdmin - 'pmaPWN!' Code Injection / Remote Code Execution
Exploit-DB: phpMyAdmin - Config File Code Injection (Metasploit)
Metasploit: phpMyAdmin Config File Code Injection
Nuclei scan template: PhpMyAdmin Scripts - Remote Code Execution

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · CISA KEV catalog · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2009-1151?

phpmyadmin: upgrade to 2.11.9.5, 3.1.3.1; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-1151 being exploited?

Yes. CVE-2009-1151 is on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, so treat it as patch-now.

What does CVE-2009-1151 affect?

CVE-2009-1151 affects phpmyadmin, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Static code injection vulnerability in setup.php in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.9.5 and 3.x before 3.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a configuration file via the save action.

How urgent is CVE-2009-1151?

Priority 100/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV); Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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