PHP 3.0/4.0 Error Log format string

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in PHP 3.0/4.0. This affects an unknown function of the component Error Log Handler. Such manipulation leads to format string. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2000-0967. In addition, an exploit is available. This vulnerability has historical importance owing to its background and reception. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PHP 3.0/4.0 (Programming Language Software) and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is an unknown functionality of the component Error Log Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a format string vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-134. The product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

PHP 3 and 4 do not properly cleanse user-injected format strings, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands by triggering error messages that are improperly written to the error logs.

The weakness was presented 10/14/2000 by FIRST with @stake (Website). The advisory is available at archives.neohapsis.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2000-0967. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be launched remotely. No form of authentication is required for exploitation. Technical details are unknown but a public exploit is available. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/12/2025). This vulnerability has a historic impact due to its background and reception.

After 2 months, there has been an exploit disclosed. The exploit is available at securiteam.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. As 0-day the estimated underground price was around $25k-$100k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 61849 (Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : mod_php3 (MDKSA-2000:062)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Mandriva Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86056 (PHP Error Logging Format String Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published before and not just after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 1086. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 4005.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (5359), Exploit-DB (220), Tenable (61849), SecurityFocus (BID 1786†) and OSVDB (434†). If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.8

VulDB Base Score: 9.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.8
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Format string
CWE: CWE-134 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Proof-of-Concept
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
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Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 61849
Nessus Name: Mandrake Linux Security Advisory : mod_php3 (MDKSA-2000:062)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
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Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Exploit Delay Time: 🔍
Snort ID: 1086
Snort Message: SERVER-WEBAPP strings overflow
Snort Class: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

SourceFire IPS: 🔍
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

10/12/2000 🔍
10/12/2000 +0 days 🔍
10/14/2000 +2 days 🔍
12/06/2000 +53 days 🔍
12/06/2000 +0 days 🔍
12/19/2000 +13 days 🔍
09/12/2002 +632 days 🔍
12/04/2002 +82 days 🔍
09/06/2012 +3564 days 🔍
07/01/2014 +663 days 🔍
10/12/2025 +4120 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: php.org

Advisory: archives.neohapsis.com
Researcher: FIRST
Organization: @stake
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2000-0967 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2000-0967
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-16178
X-Force: 5359
SecurityFocus: 1786 - PHP Error Logging Format String Vulnerability
OSVDB: 434 - PHP Error Log Format String Command Injection
Vulnerability Center: 282 - PHP Error Log Format String Command Execution, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 07/02/2014 00:44
Updated: 10/12/2025 01:24
Changes: 07/02/2014 00:44 (81), 05/06/2019 06:20 (5), 12/17/2024 10:14 (18), 10/12/2025 01:24 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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