# CVE-2016-10131: CodeIgniter arbitrary code execution

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by injecting sendmail arguments via the email from field in CodeIgniter.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 Jan 2017
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-2pcj-76hj-xqhm

## What is CVE-2016-10131?

CVE-2016-10131 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Jan 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

system/libraries/Email.php in CodeIgniter before 3.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging control over the email->from field to insert sendmail command-line arguments.

Weakness: CWE-74 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2016-10131?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including bcit-ci/codeigniter. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `bcit-ci/codeigniter` | Packagist | All versions | 3.1.3 |
| `bcit-ci/codeigniter` | Packagist | All versions | 3.1.3 |

Products: Codeigniter Codeigniter.

## How do I fix CVE-2016-10131?

Upgrade bcit-ci/codeigniter to 3.1.3 or later.

## Is CVE-2016-10131 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-10131 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2025-54418](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-54418/): CodeIgniter4's ImageMagick Handler has Command Injection Vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-32692](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-32692/): Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Validation Placeholders (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-40824](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40824/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-40825](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40825/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-40826](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-40826/): SQL injection in n/a (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2016-10131 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2016-10131 is a critical command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 12 Jan 2017. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2016-10131 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- bcit-ci/codeigniter (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 3.1.3
- bcit-ci/codeigniter (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 3.1.3

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-2016-10131/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-10131/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-10131
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-10131
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2016-10131

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2016-10131/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.