CVE-2019-16759
KEVvBulletin PHP Module Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
The PHP module within vBulletin contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for remote code execution via the widgetConfig[code] parameter in an ajax/render/widget_php routestring request.
vBulletin 5.x through 5.5.4 allows remote command execution via the widgetConfig[code] parameter in an ajax/render/widget_php routestring request.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedSep 24, 2019
Last modifiedJun 17, 2026
Added to KEVNov 3, 2021
Remediation dueMay 3, 2022
References
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154623/vBulletin-5.x-0-Day-Pre-Auth-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/154648/vBulletin-5.x-Pre-Auth-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/155633/vBulletin-5.5.4-Remote-Command-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158829/vBulletin-5.x-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158830/vBulletin-5.x-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/158866/vBulletin-5.x-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party Advisory
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2020/Aug/5ExploitMailing List
- arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/09/public-exploit-code-spawns-mass-attacks-against-high-severity-vbulletin-bug/ExploitPress/Media Coverage
- seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2019/Sep/31ExploitMailing List
- theregister.co.uk/2019/09/24/vbulletin_vbug_zeroday/Press/Media CoverageThird Party Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2019-16759US Government Resource
0 recent articles mention this CVE
89
Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1637 days
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 99.7% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-94
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.