CVE-2010-4150 in PHP
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the imap_do_open function in the IMAP extension (ext/imap/php_imap.c) in PHP 5.2 before 5.2.15 and 5.3 before 5.3.4 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The CVE-2010-4150 vulnerability represents a critical double free error within PHP's IMAP extension that affects versions prior to 5.2.15 and 5.3.4. This flaw exists in the imap_do_open function located in the ext/imap/php_imap.c source file, making it a fundamental issue within the mail handling capabilities of PHP applications. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management where the same memory block gets freed twice during the IMAP connection process, creating a condition that can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate the application's memory state.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management. When an attacker can trigger this double free scenario, the memory allocator's internal data structures become corrupted, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. The flaw allows for both denial of service conditions where the application crashes due to memory corruption and more severe arbitrary code execution possibilities when the corrupted memory can be manipulated to redirect program flow. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged for both disrupting services and gaining unauthorized access to systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4150 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. This capability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through IMAP protocols, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability in web applications that process email data. Applications using PHP's IMAP extension for email handling, particularly those that accept user input for IMAP connection parameters, become prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only web servers directly but also any system where PHP processes IMAP connections, including email clients and server-side applications that integrate with IMAP services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected PHP installations to versions 5.2.15 or 5.3.4 and later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, particularly those handling email data. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened for any IMAP connection parameters to prevent malicious data from reaching the vulnerable code paths. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory allocation patterns and potential exploitation attempts, as the double free condition can manifest in various ways depending on the system's memory layout and the specific attack vector used by adversaries.