Adminer: Incorrect Check of Function Return Value
CVE-2026-15686 is a high-severity incorrect check of function return value vulnerability in Adminer, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Adminer versions: 5.4.2. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.08% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 66% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Adminer you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (trendmicro.com).
Official description
Adminer multi_query Incorrect Check of Function Return Value Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Adminer. Authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the multi_query method. The issue results from an incorrect check of a function return value. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the web server. Was ZDI-CAN-28201.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Incorrect Check of Function Return Value
The product incorrectly checks a return value from a function, which prevents it from detecting errors or exceptional conditions.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language or compiler that uses exceptions and requires the catching of those exceptions.
- Properly check all functions which return a value.
- When designing any function make sure you return a value or throw an exception in case of an error.
More Incorrect Check of Function Return Value vulnerabilities (CWE-253)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Adminer
- 8.6 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Recent Incorrect Check of Function Return Value vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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