CVE-2018-19520: An issue was discovered in SDCMS 1.6 with PHP 5.x

This month

HIGH 8.8DOWNGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2018-19520 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting sdcms, php. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in SDCMS 1.6 with PHP 5.x. app/admin/controller/themecontroller.php uses a check_bad function in an attempt to block certain PHP functions such as eval, but does not prevent use of preg_replace 'e' calls, allowing users to execute arbitrary code by leveraging access to admin template management.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.9% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2018-11-25
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: php · sdcms

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-11-25 20:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

sdcms sdcms DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.6

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison sdcms sudo apt install sdcms=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo apt-mark hold sdcms

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

dnf --showduplicates list sdcms sudo dnf downgrade sdcms-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.6> sudo dnf versionlock add sdcms

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.

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.0.0 and <= 5.6.38

Fixed in: newer than 5.6.38

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to newer than 5.6.38 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade php

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold php

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list php sudo dnf downgrade php-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add php

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-2018-19520?

sdcms: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; php: upgrade to newer than 5.6.38. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-19520 being exploited?

CVE-2018-19520 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-2018-19520 affect?

CVE-2018-19520 affects sdcms, php. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). An issue was discovered in SDCMS 1.6 with PHP 5.x. app/admin/controller/themecontroller.php uses a check_bad function in an attempt to block certain PHP functions such as eval, but does not prevent use of preg_replace 'e' calls, allowing us

How urgent is CVE-2018-19520?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2019-9652 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE There is a CSRF in SDCMS V1.7 via an m=admin&c=theme&a=edit request
CVE-2019-9651 CRITICAL 9.8 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in SDCMS V1.7
CVE-2018-19748 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE app/plug/attachment/controller/admincontroller.php in SDCMS 1.6 allows reading arbitrary files via a /?m=plug&
CVE-2018-11004 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE An issue was discovered in SDcms v1.5

References

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