CVE-2009-1916: dig.php in GScripts.net DNS Tools allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacte

This week

HIGH 10.0MITIGATE

CVE-2009-1916 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting dns tools. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

dig.php in GScripts.net DNS Tools allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ns parameter.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	10.3% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2009-06-04
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: gscripts

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-06-04 17:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:08 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gscripts dns tools MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dns-tools || rpm -q dns-tools || dns-tools --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Public exploits and detection

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

Exploit-DB: DNS Tools (PHP Digger) - Remote Command Execution

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · 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-2009-1916?

dns tools: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2009-1916 being exploited?

CVE-2009-1916 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2009-1916 affect?

CVE-2009-1916 affects dns tools. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). dig.php in GScripts.net DNS Tools allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ns parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2009-1916?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2009-1361 HIGH 10.0 MITIGATE dig.php in GScripts.net DNS Tools allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacte

References

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