A vulnerability classified as critical was found in php-gettext up to 1.0.11 (Programming Language Software). Affected by this vulnerability is the function select_string/ngettext/npgettext. The manipulation of the argument count with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

The weakness was published 08/15/2016 as not defined mailinglist post (Full-Disclosure). The advisory is shared at seclists.org. The attack can be launched remotely. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue. Responsible for the vulnerability is the following code:

function select_string($n) {
   $string = $this->get_plural_forms();
   $string = str_replace('nplurals',"\$total",$string);
   $string = str_replace("n",$n,$string);
   $string = str_replace('plural',"\$plural",$string);
   $total = 0;
   $plural = 0;
   eval("$string");
   if ($plural >= $total) $plural = $total - 1;
   return $plural;
}

The vulnerability here lies in the fact that $string is evaluated as PHP code. If the plural form contains an 'n', and the $n parameter is exposed to a malicious user, PHP code can be added to the value of $string before it is evaluated. For websites, this means that a vulnerable application could allow an attacker to run PHP code on your site and potentially gain control of it. The $n parameter in select_string can also be exposed through ngettext and npgettext as the $number parameter.

Upgrading to version 1.0.12 eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability. The mailinglist post contains the following remark:

The new release 1.0.12 was made available shortly after notification in 2015 and resolves the issue by raising an exception during non-numeric input to these parameters.

Similar entries are available at VDB-127235, VDB-131165, VDB-131166 and VDB-143304.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Language Software

Name

• php-gettext

Version

• 1.0.0
• 1.0.1
• 1.0.2
• 1.0.3
• 1.0.4
• 1.0.5
• 1.0.6
• 1.0.7
• 1.0.8
• 1.0.9
• 1.0.10
• 1.0.11

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

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