# CVE-2009-1151: phpMyAdmin Remote Code Execution

> Remote attackers can inject arbitrary PHP code into configuration files via the save action in phpMyAdmin, leading to code execution.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Yes, since 25 Mar 2022 (CISA KEV)
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 26 Mar 2009
- **Updated:** 22 Oct 2025
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2009-1151, GHSA-fw5c-3235-cprv

## What is CVE-2009-1151?

CVE-2009-1151 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 26 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Static code injection vulnerability in setup.php in phpMyAdmin 2.11.x before 2.11.9.5 and 3.x before 3.1.3.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP code into a configuration file via the save action.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2009-1151?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Debian Debian Linux, Phpmyadmin Phpmyadmin.

## How do I fix CVE-2009-1151?

Upgrade to a fixed version. US federal agencies must fix it by 15 Apr 2022.

## Is CVE-2009-1151 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2009-1151 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Public exploit code:

- phpMyAdmin '/scripts/setup.php' PHP Code Injection RCE PoC (CVE-2009-1151) (github_poc): https://github.com/pagvac/pocs
- Based on the x.pl exploit/loader script for CVE-2009-1151 (github_poc): https://github.com/e-Thug/PhpMyAdmin
- phpMyAdmin Config File Code Injection (metasploit)
- phpMyAdmin - '/scripts/setup.php' PHP Code Injection (exploitdb)
- phpMyAdmin - 'pmaPWN!' Code Injection / Remote Code Execution (exploitdb)
- phpMyAdmin - Config File Code Injection (Metasploit) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Debian Debian Linux

- [CVE-2015-3306](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-3306/): ProFTPD Improper Access Control (critical 10.0, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-49113](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-49113/): RoundCube Webmail Deserialization of Untrusted Data (critical 9.9, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-24061](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-24061/): GNU InetUtils Argument Injection (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2025-39682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-39682/): Linux Kernel Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2024-9680](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9680/): Mozilla Firefox Use-After-Free (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2009-1151 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2009-1151 is a critical code injection vulnerability in Debian Debian Linux, published on 26 Mar 2009. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2009-1151 in the wild since at least 25 Mar 2022.

Affected product: Debian Debian Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1151/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1151/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2009-1151
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-1151
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2009-1151

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-1151/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.