CVE-2020-5504: In phpMyAdmin 4 before 4.9.4 and 5 before 5.0.1, SQL injection exists in the user accounts page

This week

HIGH 8.8WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2020-5504 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting phpmyadmin, suse linux enterprise server, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In phpMyAdmin 4 before 4.9.4 and 5 before 5.0.1, SQL injection exists in the user accounts page. A malicious user could inject custom SQL in place of their own username when creating queries to this page. An attacker must have a valid MySQL account to access the server.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

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	28.0% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2020-01-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

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

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-01-09 22:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:21 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpmyadmin phpmyadmin UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.0.0 and < 4.9.4 · >= 5.0.0 and < 5.0.1

Fixed in: 4.9.4, 5.0.1

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 4.9.4 (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.

suse suse linux enterprise server MITIGATE

Affected: 12

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12

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.

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.

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: phpMyAdmin 5.0.0 - 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-2020-5504?

phpmyadmin: upgrade to 4.9.4, 5.0.1; suse linux enterprise server: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-5504 being exploited?

CVE-2020-5504 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-2020-5504 affect?

CVE-2020-5504 affects phpmyadmin, suse linux enterprise server, debian linux. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In phpMyAdmin 4 before 4.9.4 and 5 before 5.0.1, SQL injection exists in the user accounts page. A malicious user could inject custom SQL in place of their own username when creating queries to this page. An attacker must have a valid MySQL

How urgent is CVE-2020-5504?

Priority 65/100. High severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

MySQL vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities · phpMyAdmin vulnerabilities

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References

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