CVE-2018-5979: SQL Injection exists in Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script 1.5 via the login.php User field.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2018-5979 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting wchat. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

SQL Injection exists in Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script 1.5 via the login.php User field.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
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	19.1% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2018-01-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: wchat project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-01-24 10:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

wchat project wchat DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison wchat sudo apt install wchat=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5> sudo apt-mark hold wchat

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

dnf --showduplicates list wchat sudo dnf downgrade wchat-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.5> sudo dnf versionlock add wchat

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Wchat 1.5 - SQL Injection

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-2018-5979?

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

Is CVE-2018-5979 being exploited?

CVE-2018-5979 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-2018-5979 affect?

CVE-2018-5979 affects wchat. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). SQL Injection exists in Wchat Fully Responsive PHP AJAX Chat Script 1.5 via the login.php User field.

How urgent is CVE-2018-5979?

Priority 69/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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