# CVE-2023-0789: Command Injection in thorsten/phpmyfaq

> Attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting phpMyFAQ, requiring an upgrade to the latest version.

- **Severity:** High 8.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 12 Feb 2023
- **Updated:** 21 Mar 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-6vp5-vv9p-7q62

## What is CVE-2023-0789?

CVE-2023-0789 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Phpmyfaq Phpmyfaq, published on 12 Feb 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Command Injection in GitHub repository thorsten/phpmyfaq prior to 3.1.11.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-0789?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including thorsten/phpmyfaq. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `thorsten/phpmyfaq` | Packagist | All versions | 3.1.11 |
| `thorsten/phpmyfaq` | Packagist | All versions | 3.1.11 |

Products: Phpmyfaq Phpmyfaq.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-0789?

Upgrade thorsten/phpmyfaq to 3.1.11 or later.

## Is CVE-2023-0789 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0789 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Phpmyfaq Phpmyfaq

- [CVE-2023-0310](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0310/): Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in thorsten/phpmyfaq (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-4407](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-4407/): Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Reflected in thorsten/phpmyfaq (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-11187](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-11187/): Security feature bypass in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2026-76213](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-76213/): phpMyFAQ before 4.1.7 2FA Brute-Force via Session-Scoped Throttle (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2026-76214](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-76214/): phpMyFAQ before 4.1.7 WebAuthn Replay Attack via Challenge (critical 9.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-0789 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-0789 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Phpmyfaq Phpmyfaq, published on 12 Feb 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-0789 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- thorsten/phpmyfaq (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 3.1.11
- thorsten/phpmyfaq (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 3.1.11

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-2023-0789/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0789/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-0789
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-0789
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-0789

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-0789/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.