CVE-2012-6554: functions/html_to_text.php in the Chat module before 1.5.2 for activeCollab allows remote authenticated users

Q: How do I fix CVE-2012-6554?

activecollab chat module: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2012-6554 being exploited?

CVE-2012-6554 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2012-6554 affect?

CVE-2012-6554 affects activecollab chat module. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). functions/html_to_text.php in the Chat module before 1.5.2 for activeCollab allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via the message[message_text] parameter to chat/add_messag, which is not properly handled when execu

Q: How urgent is CVE-2012-6554?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

MEDIUM 6.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2012-6554 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting activecollab chat module. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

functions/html_to_text.php in the Chat module before 1.5.2 for activeCollab allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via the message[message_text] parameter to chat/add_messag, which is not properly handled when executing the preg_replace function with the eval switch.

Why this priority

EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	16.7% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-20
Published	2013-05-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: a51dev

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2013-05-23 15:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:48 UTCUpdated Record last modified

a51dev activecollab chat module DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0 · 1.1 · 1.1.1 · 1.2 · 1.3 · 1.3.2 · 1.4 · 1.4.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy activecollab-chat-module || rpm -q activecollab-chat-module || activecollab-chat-module --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison activecollab-chat-module sudo apt install activecollab-chat-module=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo apt-mark hold activecollab-chat-module

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list activecollab-chat-module sudo dnf downgrade activecollab-chat-module-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0> sudo dnf versionlock add activecollab-chat-module

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.

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: Active Collab 'chat module' < 2.3.8 - Remote PHP Code Injection (Metasploit)
Metasploit: Active Collab "chat module" Remote PHP Code Injection Exploit

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-2012-6554?

activecollab chat module: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2012-6554 being exploited?

CVE-2012-6554 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-2012-6554 affect?

CVE-2012-6554 affects activecollab chat module. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). functions/html_to_text.php in the Chat module before 1.5.2 for activeCollab allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code via the message[message_text] parameter to chat/add_messag, which is not properly handled when execu

How urgent is CVE-2012-6554?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

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References

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