CVE-2016-5703: SQL injection vulnerability in libraries/central_columns.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7 and 4.6.x

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEMITIGATEMITIGATEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-5703 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting leap, opensuse, phpmyadmin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SQL injection vulnerability in libraries/central_columns.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7 and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted database name that is mishandled in a central column query.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.3% (top 17%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2016-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2016-07-03 01:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

opensuse leap MITIGATE

Affected: 42.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 42.1

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.

opensuse opensuse MITIGATE

Affected: 13.1 · 13.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 13.1

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.

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.4.0 · 4.4.1 · 4.4.1.1 · 4.4.2 · 4.4.3 · 4.4.4 · 4.4.5 · 4.4.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpmyadmin sudo apt install phpmyadmin=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold phpmyadmin

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

dnf --showduplicates list phpmyadmin sudo dnf downgrade phpmyadmin-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.4.0> 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.

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-2016-5703?

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

Is CVE-2016-5703 being exploited?

CVE-2016-5703 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-2016-5703 affect?

CVE-2016-5703 affects leap, opensuse, phpmyadmin. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). SQL injection vulnerability in libraries/central_columns.lib.php in phpMyAdmin 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7 and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via a crafted database name that is mishandled in a centra

How urgent is CVE-2016-5703?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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