CVE-2015-10141

CRITICAL NUCLEI

Xdebug < 2.5.5 - Unauthenticated OS Command Injection via Remote Debugger Interface

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 4 public exploits for CVE-2015-10141. PoCs published by Metasploit, D3Ext, n0m4d22, including Metasploit module exploits/unix/http/xdebug_unauth_exec. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This Metasploit module exploits a vulnerability in Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and below, allowing unauthenticated OS command execution via the eval command. It establishes a reverse shell by leveraging the Xdebug debugger session.

Description

An unauthenticated OS command injection vulnerability exists within Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and earlier, a PHP debugging extension developed by Derick Rethans. When remote debugging is enabled, Xdebug listens on port 9000 and accepts debugger protocol commands without authentication. An attacker can send a crafted eval command over this interface to execute arbitrary PHP code, which may invoke system-level functions such as system() or passthru(). This results in full compromise of the host under the privileges of the web server user.

Exploits (4)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Metasploit · rubyremotephp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44568

This Metasploit module exploits a vulnerability in Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and below, allowing unauthenticated OS command execution via the eval command. It establishes a reverse shell by leveraging the Xdebug debugger session.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and below
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Xdebug enabled on the target server · Network access to the target · Writeable directory on the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 30 stars
by D3Ext · poc
https://github.com/D3Ext/CVE-2015-10141

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2015-10141, targeting Xdebug v2.5.5 and earlier. It leverages unauthenticated command execution via the Xdebug debugger interface on port 9000, allowing arbitrary PHP code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Xdebug v2.5.5 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Xdebug remote debugging enabled · Target PHP application accessible · Network access to port 9000 on the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by n0m4d22 · poc
https://github.com/n0m4d22/PoC-CVE-2015-10141-Xdebug

This is a functional Python exploit for CVE-2015-10141, targeting Xdebug ≤ 2.5.5. It leverages the unauthenticated debugging protocol on port 9000 to achieve remote command execution via base64-encoded PHP system() calls.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Xdebug ≤ 2.5.5
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target with Xdebug ≤ 2.5.5 exposed on port 9000 · Network access to the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by Ricter Zheng, Shaksham Jaiswal, Mumbai · rubypocphp
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/unix/http/xdebug_unauth_exec.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a vulnerability in Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and below, allowing unauthenticated remote command execution via the eval command. It sets up a TCP server to deliver a base64-encoded PHP payload to the target.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Xdebug versions 2.5.5 and below
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Xdebug enabled on the target server · Network access to the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

Xdebug <= 2.5.5 - Command Injection
CRITICALVERIFIEDby pwnhxl

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Various Sources product
https://xdebug.org/
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/44568
Vendor Advisory third-party-advisory
https://www.fortiguard.com/encyclopedia/ips/46000

Scores

CVSS v4 9.3
EPSS 0.6571
EPSS Percentile 98.5%
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-306 CWE-78
Status published
Products (1)
Xdebug/Xdebug < 2.5.5
Published Jul 23, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026