PHP 3.0/4.0.6/4.1.0/4.1.1 POST Request memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in PHP 3.0/4.0.6/4.1.0/4.1.1. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is an unknown function of the component POST Request Handler. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2002-0081. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PHP 3.0/4.0.6/4.1.0/4.1.1 (Programming Language Software) and classified as critical. This issue affects an unknown function of the component POST Request Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Buffer overflows in (1) php_mime_split in PHP 4.1.0, 4.1.1, and 4.0.6 and earlier, and (2) php3_mime_split in PHP 3.0.x allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a multipart/form-data HTTP POST request when file_uploads is enabled.

The weakness was shared 03/08/2002 by Stefan Esser (e-matters) as confirmed advisory (CERT.org). The advisory is shared at kb.cert.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2002-0081. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Neither technical details nor an exploit are publicly available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 14952 (Debian DSA-115-1 : php - broken boundary check and more), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Debian Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 86334 (PHP Post File Upload Buffer Overflow Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. It is possible to mitigate the problem by applying the configuration setting file_uploads = off. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 1423. Furthermore it is possible to detect and prevent this kind of attack with TippingPoint and the filter 3502.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (8281), Tenable (14952), SecurityFocus (BID 4183†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-372†). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 14952
Nessus Name: Debian DSA-115-1 : php - broken boundary check and more
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53395
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 115-1 (php3, php4)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Config: file_uploads = off

Snort ID: 1423
Snort Message: SERVER-WEBAPP content-disposition memchr overflow
Snort Class: 🔍
TippingPoint: 🔍

McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

SourceFire IPS: 🔍
ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍
PaloAlto IPS: 🔍
Fortigate IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/26/2002 🔍
03/02/2002 +4 days 🔍
03/08/2002 +6 days 🔍
03/08/2002 +0 days 🔍
03/08/2002 +0 days 🔍
12/12/2002 +279 days 🔍
09/29/2004 +657 days 🔍
07/11/2014 +3572 days 🔍
09/23/2025 +4092 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: php.org

Advisory: kb.cert.org
Researcher: Stefan Esser (e-matters)
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2002-0081 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-0081
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-17969
CERT: 🔍
X-Force: 8281
SecurityFocus: 4183 - PHP Post File Upload Buffer Overflow Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability Center: 372 - Buffer Overflow in PHP Post File Upload, High

Entryinfo

Created: 07/11/2014 13:41
Updated: 09/23/2025 04:26
Changes: 07/11/2014 13:41 (79), 05/06/2019 16:04 (6), 10/21/2024 13:27 (17), 09/23/2025 04:26 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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