# CVE-2013-10051: InstantCMS <= 1.6 Remote PHP Code Execution

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code via unsafe eval() in the search handler, compromising the web server.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 1 Aug 2025
- **Updated:** 15 May 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-vv4j-q4m2-9gr7

## What is CVE-2013-10051?

CVE-2013-10051 is a critical code injection vulnerability in InstantCMS, published on 1 Aug 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A remote PHP code execution vulnerability exists in InstantCMS version 1.6 and earlier due to unsafe use of eval() within the search view handler. Specifically, user-supplied input passed via the look parameter is concatenated into a PHP expression and executed without proper sanitation. A remote attacker can exploit this flaw by sending a crafted HTTP GET request with a base64-encoded payload in the Cmd header, resulting in arbitrary PHP code execution within the context of the web server.

Weakness: CWE-95 (Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2013-10051?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Instantcms Instantcms.

## How do I fix CVE-2013-10051?

No fix has been published for CVE-2013-10051 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2013-10051 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2013-10051 exists.

Public exploit code:

- InstantCMS 1.6 Remote PHP Code Execution (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in InstantCMS

- [CVE-2023-4188](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4188/): SQL Injection in instantsoft/icms2 (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-4704](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4704/): External Control of System or Configuration Setting in instantsoft/icms2 (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2026-28281](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-28281/): InstantCMS has Multiple CSRF Vulnerabilities (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2023-4652](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-4652/): Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in instantsoft/icms2 (medium 6.8)
- [CVE-2024-31212](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-31212/): SQL injection in index_chart_data action (medium 6.7)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2013-10051 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2013-10051 is a critical code injection vulnerability in InstantCMS, published on 1 Aug 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2013-10051 exists.

Affected product: InstantCMS. 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-2013-10051/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-10051/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2013-10051
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-10051
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2013-10051

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-10051/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.