phpBB 2.0 Beta1/2.0 Rc1/2.0 Rc2/2.0 Rc3 db.php phpbb_root_path privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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9.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in phpBB 2.0 Beta1/2.0 Rc1/2.0 Rc2/2.0 Rc3. It has been rated as critical. Impacted is an unknown function of the file db.php. This manipulation of the argument phpbb_root_path causes privileges management. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2002-0473. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in phpBB 2.0 Beta1/2.0 Rc1/2.0 Rc2/2.0 Rc3 (Forum Software). It has been declared as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown function of the file db.php. The manipulation of the argument phpbb_root_path with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is 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. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

db.php in phBB 2.0 (aka phBB2) RC-3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code from remote servers via the phpbb_root_path parameter.

The bug was discovered 03/18/2002. The weakness was shared 03/18/2002 by Jose Romeo Vela with PHP (Website). The advisory is shared at archives.neohapsis.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2002-0473. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 09/16/2025). MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1068 for this issue.

By approaching the search of inurl:db.php it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 10554 (PHPBB2 'phpbb_root_path' Remote File Include Vulnerability).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (8476), SecurityFocus (BID 4380†), OSVDB (4268†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-6604†). The entry VDB-18531 is related to this item. 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: 9.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.8

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

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

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

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
Google Hack: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: no mitigation known
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
McAfee IPS: 🔍
McAfee IPS Version: 🔍

ISS Proventia IPS: 🔍

Timelineinfo

03/17/2002 🔍
03/17/2002 +0 days 🔍
03/18/2002 +1 days 🔍
03/18/2002 +0 days 🔍
08/12/2002 +147 days 🔍
03/16/2004 +582 days 🔍
12/22/2004 +280 days 🔍
07/22/2014 +3499 days 🔍
09/16/2025 +4074 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: phpbb.com

Advisory: archives.neohapsis.com
Researcher: Jose Romeo Vela
Organization: PHP
Status: Not defined
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2002-0473 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2002-0473
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-18529
X-Force: 8476
SecurityFocus: 4380 - PHPBB2 'phpbb_root_path' Remote File Include Vulnerability
OSVDB: 4268 - phpBB db.php Arbitrary Command Execution
Vulnerability Center: 6604 - Code Execution in phpBB Group phpBB 2.0 Beta 1, 2.0 RC1 - 2.0 RC4 via \x27phpbb_root_path\x27, High

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 07/22/2014 21:44
Updated: 09/16/2025 18:24
Changes: 07/22/2014 21:44 (67), 06/03/2019 23:25 (1), 09/16/2025 18:24 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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