---
title: "CVE-2016-10045: The isMail transport in PHPMailer… | CubePath"
description: "The isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.20 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2016-10045
---

# CVE-2016-10045: The isMail transport in PHPMailer… | CubePath

## Description

The isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.20 might allow remote attackers to pass extra parameters to the mail command and consequently execute arbitrary code by leveraging improper interaction between the escapeshellarg function and internal escaping performed in the mail function in PHP. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2016-10033.

Official description from the CVE record, published by mitre. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-10045)

## Key data

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.97738 (97.7% probability)

Percentile

99.9%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [packetstormsecurity.com/files/140286/PHPMailer-Remote-Code-…](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140286/PHPMailer-Remote-Code-Execution.html)
- [packetstormsecurity.com/files/140350/PHPMailer-Sendmail-Arg…](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/140350/PHPMailer-Sendmail-Argument-Injection.html)
- [42221](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/42221/)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [40969](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40969/)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [20161228 PHPMailer < 5.2.20 Remote Code Execution PoC 0day Exploit (CVE-2016-10045) (Bypass of the CVE-2016-1033 patch)](http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/539967/100/0/threaded)  (securityfocus.com) mailing-list
- [\[oss-security\] 20161228 Re: PHPMailer < 5.2.18 Remote Code Execution \[updated advisory\] \[CVE-2016-10033\]](http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/12/28/1)  (openwall.com) mailing-list
- [github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/About-the-CVE-2016-1003…](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/wiki/About-the-CVE-2016-10033-and-CVE-2016-10045-vulnerabilities)
- [github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.20](https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.20)
- [40986](https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40986/)  (exploit-db.com) exploit
- [rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/phpmailer\_arg\_inje…](http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/phpmailer%5Farg%5Finjection)
- [95130](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95130)  (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry
- [legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-E…](https://legalhackers.com/advisories/PHPMailer-Exploit-Remote-Code-Exec-CVE-2016-10045-Vuln-Patch-Bypass.html)
- [20161227 PHPMailer < 5.2.20 Remote Code Execution PoC 0day Exploit (CVE-2016-10045) (Bypass of the CVE-2016-1033 patch)](http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2016/Dec/81)  (seclists.org) mailing-list
- [1037533](http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037533)  (securitytracker.com) vdb-entry
- [developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer…](https://developer.joomla.org/security-centre/668-20161205-phpmailer-security-advisory.html)

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Dec 26, 2016
2. Record published Dec 30, 2016
3. Record last updated Aug 6, 2024

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## About CubePath

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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:58 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)