CVE-2018-19968: An attacker can exploit phpMyAdmin before 4.8.4 to leak the contents of a local file because of an error in th

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MEDIUM 6.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2018-19968 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting phpmyadmin, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An attacker can exploit phpMyAdmin before 4.8.4 to leak the contents of a local file because of an error in the transformation feature. The attacker must have access to the phpMyAdmin Configuration Storage tables, although these can easily be created in any database to which the attacker has access. An attacker must have valid credentials to log in to phpMyAdmin; this vulnerability does not allow an attacker to circumvent the login system.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
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-200
Published	2018-12-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-12-11 17:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:50 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.0.0 and < 4.8.4

Fixed in: 4.8.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 4.8.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade phpmyadmin

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 4.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

3. If no update is available yet, 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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

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-2018-19968?

phpmyadmin: upgrade to 4.8.4; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2018-19968 being exploited?

CVE-2018-19968 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-2018-19968 affect?

CVE-2018-19968 affects phpmyadmin, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). An attacker can exploit phpMyAdmin before 4.8.4 to leak the contents of a local file because of an error in the transformation feature. The attacker must have access to the phpMyAdmin Configuration Storage tables, although these can easily

How urgent is CVE-2018-19968?

Priority 49/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities · phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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