PHP 4.3 CGI Module --enable-force-cgi-redirect privileges management

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

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in PHP 4.3. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component CGI Module. Performing a manipulation of the argument --enable-force-cgi-redirect results in privileges management. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2003-0097. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in PHP 4.3 (Programming Language Software). It has been classified as critical. This affects an unknown functionality of the component CGI Module. The manipulation of the argument --enable-force-cgi-redirect 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:

Unknown vulnerability in CGI module for PHP 4.3.0 allows attackers to access arbitrary files as the PHP user, and possibly execute PHP code, by bypassing the CGI force redirect settings (cgi.force_redirect or --enable-force-cgi-redirect).

The weakness was published 03/03/2003 as not defined posting (Bugtraq). It is possible to read the advisory at marc.theaimsgroup.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2003-0097. 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 of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1068 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 11237 (PHP < 4.3.1 CGI Module Force Redirect Settings Bypass Arbitrary File Access), 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 11090 (PHP CGI SAPI Code Execution Vulnerability).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (11343), Tenable (11237), SecurityFocus (BID 6875†) and Vulnerability Center (SBV-2335†). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for 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

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

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 11237
Nessus Name: PHP < 4.3.1 CGI Module Force Redirect Settings Bypass Arbitrary File Access
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Timelineinfo

01/01/2003 🔍
02/17/2003 +47 days 🔍
02/17/2003 +0 days 🔍
02/18/2003 +1 days 🔍
03/03/2003 +13 days 🔍
03/03/2003 +0 days 🔍
10/13/2003 +224 days 🔍
08/07/2014 +3951 days 🔍
08/25/2025 +4036 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: php.org

Advisory: marc.theaimsgroup.com
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2003-0097 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2003-0097
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-20175
X-Force: 11343
SecurityFocus: 6875 - PHP CGI SAPI Code Execution Vulnerability
Vulnerability Center: 2335 - PHP version 4.3.0 allows access to the CGI SAPI module., Medium

Entryinfo

Created: 08/07/2014 18:11
Updated: 08/25/2025 04:10
Changes: 08/07/2014 18:11 (64), 05/15/2019 18:08 (4), 08/25/2025 04:10 (20)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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