Unauthenticated RCE via installer config write
Published Aug 18, 2026 · Updated Aug 18, 2026
Code injection in the installer in MyBB 1.8.13 through 1.8.39 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via database configuration values. In install/index.php, create_tables() writes database settings into the generated PHP configuration file with addcslashes(..., "'") so backslashes remain unescaped and crafted input can break out of the quoted string. Exploitation requires the install/ interface to remain reachable; when it does, unauthenticated network access is enough to turn a malicious setup request into server-side code execution.
Summary
What happened
Code injection in the installer in MyBB 1.8.13 through 1.8.39 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via database configuration values. In install/index.php, create_tables() writes database settings into the generated PHP configuration file with addcslashes(..., "'") so backslashes remain unescaped and crafted input can break out of the quoted string. Exploitation requires the install/ interface to remain reachable; when it does, unauthenticated network access is enough to turn a malicious setup request into server-side code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-45117
- Published
- Aug 18, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 18, 2026
- Vendor
- MyBB Group
- Product
- MyBB
- Classifications
- CWE-94, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 18, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 1.8.40
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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