Cross-site scripting in PHPMailer
PHPMailer versions prior to 5.2.24 (released July 26th 2017) have an XSS vulnerability in one of the code examples, CVE-2017-11503. The code_generator.phps example did not filter user input prior to output. This file is distributed with a .phps extension, so it it not normally executable unless it is explicitly renamed, and the file is not included when PHPMailer is loaded through composer, so it is safe by default. There was also an undisclosed potential XSS vulnerability in the default exception handler (unused by default). Patches for both issues kindly provided by Patrick Monnerat of the Fedora Project.
Impact
PHPMailer 5.2.23 has XSS in the "From Email Address" and "To Email Address" fields of code_generator.php.
Patches
Fixed in 5.2.24
Workarounds
None.
References
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-11503
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open a private issue in the PHPMailer project
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | phpmailer/phpmailer | >= 5.0.0, < 5.2.24 | 5.2.24 |
References
- https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/security/advisories/GHSA-58mj-pw57-4vm2
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-11503
- https://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2017060181
- https://github.com/FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories/blob/master/phpmailer/phpmailer/CVE-2017-11503.yaml
- https://github.com/PHPMailer/PHPMailer/releases/tag/v5.2.24
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/143138/phpmailer-xss.txt
- http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/99293
- http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1039026
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-79- Platform
- Composer
- Package
phpmailer/phpmailer- Disclosed
- 05.03.2020
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-58mj-pw57-4vm2 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: phpmailer/phpmailer
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 13
- First → latest
- 12.2016 02.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 2
- High 7
- Medium 3
- Low 1
Disclosures per year
- 2017: 0
- 2018: 0
- 2019: 0
- 2020: 5
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 2
- 2023: 0
- 2024: 2
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
earlier: 1
-
Cross-site scripting in PHPMailer this entry
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