CVE-2016-5734: phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not properly choose deli

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2016-5734 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting phpmyadmin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not properly choose delimiters to prevent use of the preg_replace e (aka eval) modifier, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted string, as demonstrated by the table search-and-replace implementation.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

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	80.9% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2016-07-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: 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

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0.0 · 4.0.1 · 4.0.2 · 4.0.3 · 4.0.4 · 4.0.4.1 · 4.0.4.2 · 4.0.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpmyadmin sudo apt install phpmyadmin=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold phpmyadmin

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

dnf --showduplicates list phpmyadmin sudo dnf downgrade phpmyadmin-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0.0> 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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Composer (PHP) · phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin · FIXED · 4.0.10.16 · vulnerable: >= 4.0.10.0, < 4.0.10.16 · source

composer require "phpmyadmin/phpmyadmin:>=4.0.10.16"

Fedora ELN · python-nodeenv · FIXED · 1.12.0-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-4081f7f008 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-4081f7f008

Fedora 46 · udns · FIXED · 0.7-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-e747764426 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-e747764426

Ubuntu 20.04 · phpmyadmin · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 22.04 · phpmyadmin · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.04 · phpmyadmin · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 24.10 · phpmyadmin · NOT AFFECTED

Ubuntu 25.04 · phpmyadmin · NOT AFFECTED

Debian 12 · phpmyadmin · FIXED · 4:4.6.3-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phpmyadmin dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' phpmyadmin)" ge "4:4.6.3-1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 13 · phpmyadmin · FIXED · 4:4.6.3-1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade phpmyadmin dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' phpmyadmin)" ge "4:4.6.3-1" && 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: miko550/CVE-2016-5734-docker (1 stars)
GitHub PoC: KosukeShimofuji/CVE-2016-5734 (0 stars)
GitHub PoC: HKirito/phpmyadmin4.4_cve-2016-5734 (0 stars)
Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40185/
Exploit-DB: phpMyAdmin 4.6.2 - (Authenticated) Remote Code Execution
Metasploit: phpMyAdmin Authenticated Remote Code 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-2016-5734?

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

Is CVE-2016-5734 being exploited?

CVE-2016-5734 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-2016-5734 affect?

CVE-2016-5734 affects phpmyadmin. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). phpMyAdmin 4.0.x before 4.0.10.16, 4.4.x before 4.4.15.7, and 4.6.x before 4.6.3 does not properly choose delimiters to prevent use of the preg_replace e (aka eval) modifier, which might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code

How urgent is CVE-2016-5734?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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