CVE-2023-46817 in phpFox
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2023
An issue was discovered in phpFox before 4.8.14. The url request parameter passed to the /core/redirect route is not properly sanitized before being used in a call to the unserialize() PHP function. This can be exploited by remote, unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects into the application scope, allowing them to perform a variety of attacks, such as executing arbitrary PHP code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-46817 represents a critical security flaw in phpFox versions prior to 4.8.14 that stems from improper input validation within the application's core routing mechanism. This issue specifically affects the /core/redirect endpoint where user-supplied URL parameters are directly processed without adequate sanitization measures. The flaw manifests when the application receives a request containing a url parameter that is subsequently passed to php's unserialize() function, creating a dangerous attack surface that can be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring authentication credentials. The vulnerability falls under the category of deserialization attacks and aligns with CWE-502 which catalogs insecure deserialization vulnerabilities in software applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious url parameter containing serialized PHP objects that, upon being processed by the unserialize() function, can inject arbitrary code into the application's execution context. This deserialization flaw enables attackers to manipulate the application's behavior in ways that can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it does not require authentication, making it accessible to any remote user who can send requests to the vulnerable phpFox application. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary PHP code within the application's environment, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, or full system compromise. This vulnerability directly maps to techniques described in the attack pattern taxonomy under ATT&CK framework category T1548.003 for abuse of untrusted deserialization.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-46817 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass a wide range of potential attacks that can severely compromise application security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform remote code execution, manipulate application data, escalate privileges, and potentially gain access to underlying system resources. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its accessibility to unauthenticated attackers, meaning that any user with access to the vulnerable application can attempt exploitation. Organizations running affected phpFox versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data loss, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability can be exploited to establish persistent access, modify application behavior, or exfiltrate sensitive information from the target environment. Security teams must recognize that this flaw can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack chains that could lead to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-46817 center on immediate patching of affected phpFox installations to version 4.8.14 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied parameters before they are processed by any deserialization functions. The recommended approach includes implementing proper parameter validation, using secure coding practices that avoid direct use of unserialize() with user-controllable input, and implementing strict access controls for all application endpoints. Additional defensive measures should include network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious deserialization patterns, monitoring for unusual application behavior, and implementing proper logging of all redirect operations. Security configurations should also enforce principle of least privilege, ensuring that application processes run with minimal required permissions to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their phpFox installations to identify any additional vulnerabilities that may have been overlooked and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts.