CVE-2005-3054 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
fopen_wrappers.c in PHP 4.4.0, and possibly other versions, does not properly restrict access to other directories when the open_basedir directive includes a trailing slash, which allows PHP scripts in one directory to access files in other directories whose names are substrings of the original directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-3054 represents a critical directory traversal flaw in PHP's file handling mechanisms that specifically affects versions including PHP 4.4.0 and potentially other releases in the 4.x series. This security weakness stems from improper implementation of the open_basedir configuration directive, which is designed to restrict PHP scripts from accessing files outside of specified directories. The flaw manifests when the open_basedir directive contains a trailing slash character, creating a scenario where directory access controls become ineffective. This vulnerability operates at the core of PHP's file system interaction layer, specifically within the fopen_wrappers.c component that manages file opening operations and access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way PHP processes directory paths when a trailing slash is present in the open_basedir configuration. When a directory path ends with a forward slash, the boundary checking mechanism fails to properly validate whether file access attempts remain within the designated safe directories. This creates a condition where a PHP script located in one directory can potentially access files in adjacent directories whose names are substrings of the original directory path. The flaw essentially allows for partial path matching rather than strict directory boundary enforcement, enabling attackers to bypass intended access restrictions through carefully crafted file access patterns. This represents a classic case of improper input validation and boundary checking, which aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') and CWE-77 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection').
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for web applications running vulnerable PHP versions, as it can enable unauthorized file access and potential data breaches. Attackers can leverage this weakness to read sensitive files such as configuration files, database credentials, or application source code that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments or multi-tenant applications where multiple users operate within the same PHP runtime context. The flaw can also facilitate further exploitation by allowing attackers to access system files, potentially leading to privilege escalation or complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 - Phishing, as attackers can use the compromised file access to gather information for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-3054 primarily focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening. Organizations should upgrade to PHP versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically PHP 4.4.1 or later, where the issue has been resolved through proper boundary checking implementation. System administrators should also carefully review and reconfigure open_basedir directives to avoid trailing slashes in directory specifications, ensuring that all directory paths are properly terminated without ambiguous trailing characters. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation for all file access operations, monitoring for unusual file access patterns, and employing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file access attempts. Regular security audits of PHP configurations and code reviews should be conducted to identify and remediate similar boundary checking issues that could potentially exist in other parts of the application stack. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and boundary checking in security-critical code components, emphasizing the need for comprehensive testing of security controls in web application environments.