CVE-2016-2045: Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SQL editor in phpMyAdmin 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote auth

Routine

MEDIUM 5.4DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2016-2045 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.4) affecting phpmyadmin, fedora. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SQL editor in phpMyAdmin 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a SQL query that triggers JSON data in a response.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	1.5% (top 25%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2016-02-20
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-02-20 01:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:43 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.5.0 · 4.5.0.1 · 4.5.0.2 · 4.5.1 · 4.5.2 · 4.5.3

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.5.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpmyadmin sudo apt install phpmyadmin=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.0> sudo apt-mark hold phpmyadmin

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

dnf --showduplicates list phpmyadmin sudo dnf downgrade phpmyadmin-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.5.0> 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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 22 · 23

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 22

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.

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-2016-2045?

phpmyadmin: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-2045 being exploited?

CVE-2016-2045 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-2016-2045 affect?

CVE-2016-2045 affects phpmyadmin, fedora. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the SQL editor in phpMyAdmin 4.5.x before 4.5.4 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a SQL query that triggers JSON data in a response.

How urgent is CVE-2016-2045?

Priority 38/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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