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CVE-2009-4018

7.5 · HIGH

The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, w…

Published Nov 29, 2009phpCWE-264EPSS 11.34%

Overview

CVE-2009-4018 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting php php. It was published on November 29, 2009 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

Technical description

The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from php. Update php to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Affected products

VendorProductVersionsStatus
phpphp0Affected

References

Refbugs.php.net/bug.php?id=49026Refmarc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2Refmarc.info/?l=oss-security&m=125886770008678&w=2Refmarc.info/?l=oss-security&m=125897935330618&w=2Refsecunia.com/advisories/40262Refsecunia.com/advisories/41480Refsecunia.com/advisories/41490Refsvn.php.net/viewvc/?view=revision&revision=286360Refsvn.php.net/viewvc/php/php-src/branches/PHP_5_2/ext/standard/proc_open.c?r1=286360&r2=286359&pathrev=286360Refsvn.php.net/viewvc/php/php-src/branches/PHP_5_3/ext/standard/proc_open.c?r1=286360&r2=286359&pathrev=286360

How CyberStrike helps

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2009-4018?

CVE-2009-4018 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting php php. It was published on November 29, 2009 and has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2009-4018?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 7.5, rated HIGH. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2009-4018?

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from php. Update php to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2009-4018?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2009-4018 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

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