PHP up to 4.1.2 Safe Mode LOAD DATA INFILE LOCAL privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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6.6$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in PHP. It has been classified as critical. The impacted element is an unknown function of the component Safe Mode. Performing a manipulation of the argument LOAD DATA INFILE LOCAL results in privileges management. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2002-0229. Furthermore, an exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in PHP (Programming Language Software). This affects an unknown code block of the component Safe Mode. The manipulation of the argument LOAD DATA INFILE LOCAL with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Safe Mode feature (safe_mode) in PHP 3.0 through 4.1.0 allows attackers with access to the MySQL database to bypass Safe Mode access restrictions and read arbitrary files using "LOAD DATA INFILE LOCAL" SQL statements.

The weakness was published 05/16/2002 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at marc.info. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2002-0229. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details and a public exploit are known. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The exploit is shared for download at securityfocus.com. It is declared as proof-of-concept. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 20111 (PHP < 4.4.1 / 5.0.6 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CGI abuses and running in the context r. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 10686 (PHP MySQL Safe_Mode Filesystem Circumvention Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (8105), Exploit-DB (21264), Tenable (20111), SecurityFocus (BID 4026†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-4587†). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.6

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.6
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 20111
Nessus Name: PHP < 4.4.1 / 5.0.6 Multiple Vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

02/03/2002 🔍
02/03/2002 +0 days 🔍
05/16/2002 +102 days 🔍
05/16/2002 +0 days 🔍
06/21/2004 +767 days 🔍
11/01/2005 +498 days 🔍
07/11/2014 +3174 days 🔍
09/21/2025 +4089 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: php.org

Advisory: marc.info
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2002-0229 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-0229
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-18135
X-Force: 8105
SecurityFocus: 4026 - PHP MySQL Safe_Mode Filesystem Circumvention Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 4587 - PHP 3.0 - 4.1.0 Allows Reading of Arbitrary Files, High

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

Entryinfo

Created: 07/11/2014 13:57
Updated: 09/21/2025 01:18
Changes: 07/11/2014 13:57 (67), 05/22/2019 14:14 (1), 01/01/2025 19:07 (19), 09/21/2025 01:18 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:5CC:103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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