CVE-2014-0207 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
The cdf_read_short_sector function in cdf.c in file before 5.19, as used in the Fileinfo component in PHP before 5.4.30 and 5.5.x before 5.5.14, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure and application exit) via a crafted CDF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0207 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting PHP applications that process compound document format files through the Fileinfo component. This vulnerability exists within the cdf_read_short_sector function located in the cdf.c file, which is part of PHP's file information handling capabilities. The flaw specifically impacts PHP versions prior to 5.4.30 and 5.5.14, making it a widespread concern for systems running these older versions. The issue stems from inadequate input validation within the compound document format parser, which processes files in formats such as Microsoft Office documents and other structured storage formats.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a malicious CDF file that triggers an assertion failure within the cdf_read_short_sector function. This assertion failure causes the PHP application to terminate abruptly, resulting in a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing the affected service. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through web applications that utilize PHP's fileinfo extension to analyze uploaded files, making it a potential vector for service disruption attacks. The flaw operates at the parsing level where the software fails to properly validate the structure of compound document format files, leading to an unexpected application state that results in process termination.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for web servers and applications that rely on PHP's file information capabilities for file type detection and validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or providing access to specifically crafted CDF files that cause the PHP process to crash, effectively taking the service offline. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can be leveraged in broader denial of service campaigns against web applications, particularly those that handle file uploads or process external document formats. Organizations running affected PHP versions face potential downtime and service degradation that can affect business operations and user experience.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to PHP versions 5.4.30 or 5.5.14 and later, which contain the necessary patches to address this assertion failure. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file validation processes, limiting file upload capabilities, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file uploads. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable PHP versions, while proper input sanitization practices should be enforced to prevent similar issues in other components of the application stack.