CVE-2008-0145 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in glob in PHP before 4.4.8, when open_basedir is enabled, has unknown impact and attack vectors. NOTE: this issue reportedly exists because of a regression related to CVE-2007-4663.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0145 represents a critical security flaw in PHP's glob function implementation that emerged due to a regression affecting versions prior to 4.4.8. This issue specifically manifests when the open_basedir configuration directive is enabled, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified underscores the complexity and potential severity of its impact on systems running affected PHP versions. The regression nature of this flaw indicates that a previous security fix for CVE-2007-4663 was inadvertently reverted or improperly implemented, creating a dangerous gap in PHP's security model. When open_basedir is enabled, this directive restricts PHP functions to access files within specific directories, serving as a crucial security boundary for preventing unauthorized file access. The interaction between glob functionality and this security restriction creates a scenario where the glob function can potentially bypass these directory boundaries, undermining the fundamental security principle of file access control.
The technical flaw within the glob function occurs when PHP processes wildcard patterns in file operations while open_basedir restrictions are active. This creates a path traversal vulnerability where malicious input could cause the glob function to access files outside of the designated safe directories. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it operates at a fundamental level of file system interaction within PHP, potentially allowing attackers to enumerate, read, or manipulate files that should be restricted by the open_basedir directive. The attack vectors remain unspecified, which suggests that the exact methods of exploitation are not fully documented but could involve various forms of input manipulation targeting the glob function. This lack of specific attack details makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could potentially be exploited through multiple approaches including malformed file patterns, crafted directory structures, or specific input sequences that trigger the regression.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0145 extends beyond simple file access violations, potentially enabling broader system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or when applications rely on glob functions for critical operations. Systems running affected PHP versions become susceptible to information disclosure attacks where unauthorized file enumeration could reveal sensitive system information, application configurations, or user data. The vulnerability particularly affects web applications that implement glob functionality for dynamic file operations, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security restrictions that should prevent access to sensitive directories such as system configuration files, user data directories, or application-specific resources. Organizations may experience cascading security implications where this single vulnerability could serve as an entry point for more extensive attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data breaches. The regression aspect of the vulnerability means that systems that previously had protections against similar issues may now be vulnerable again, creating a situation where security improvements are effectively reversed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0145 primarily focus on immediate PHP version upgrades to 4.4.8 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the regression. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify applications that utilize glob functions and may be affected by this issue, particularly in environments where open_basedir restrictions are implemented. System administrators should implement additional monitoring to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-78 Command Injection categories, reflecting the fundamental nature of the security gap in file system handling. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion, as attackers could potentially use the bypass to access restricted resources and then move laterally within compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and strict input validation to reduce the risk of exploitation, while ensuring that all PHP installations undergo regular security updates to prevent similar regressions from occurring in the future.