PHP up to 5.2.10 Certificates php_openssl_apply_verification_policy input validation

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 up to 5.2.10 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function php_openssl_apply_verification_policy of the component Certificates. Executing a manipulation can lead to input validation. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2009-3291. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in PHP up to 5.2.10 (Programming Language Software) and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function php_openssl_apply_verification_policy of the component Certificates. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a input validation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-20. The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

The php_openssl_apply_verification_policy function in PHP before 5.2.11 does not properly perform certificate validation, which has unknown impact and attack vectors, probably related to an ability to spoof certificates.

The weakness was disclosed 09/16/2009 by Ryan Sleevi (Website). The advisory is shared for download at php.net. This vulnerability was named CVE-2009-3291. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 41014 (PHP < 5.2.11 Multiple Vulnerabilities), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CGI abuses. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 118111 (HP-UX Running Apache with PHP Remote Denial of Service Vulnerability (HPSBUX02543)).

Upgrading to version 5.2.11 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 (53334), Tenable (41014), SecurityFocus (BID 36449†), OSVDB (58185†) and Secunia (SA40262†). The entries VDB-51227, VDB-51226, VDB-50920 and VDB-50887 are pretty similar. VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

Website

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: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Input validation
CWE: CWE-20
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: 41014
Nessus Name: PHP < 5.2.11 Multiple Vulnerabilities
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 65008
OpenVAS Name: Slackware Advisory SSA:2009-276-02 php
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: PHP 5.2.11

Timelineinfo

09/16/2009 🔍
09/16/2009 +0 days 🔍
09/16/2009 +0 days 🔍
09/17/2009 +0 days 🔍
09/18/2009 +1 days 🔍
09/18/2009 +0 days 🔍
09/22/2009 +3 days 🔍
09/22/2009 +0 days 🔍
09/22/2009 +0 days 🔍
03/18/2015 +2003 days 🔍
04/08/2025 +3674 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: php.org

Advisory: php.net
Researcher: Ryan Sleevi
Status: Confirmed
Confirmation: 🔍

CVE: CVE-2009-3291 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2009-3291
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-50152

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 53334
SecurityFocus: 36449 - PHP 5.2.10 and Prior Versions Multiple Vulnerabilities
Secunia: 40262
OSVDB: 58185 - PHP php_openssl_apply_verification_policy Certificate Validation Unspecified Issue
SecurityTracker: 1022914
Vulnerability Center: 23548 - PHP before 5.2.11 php_openssl_apply_verification_policy Function Unspecified Vulnerability, High

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 03/18/2015 15:15
Updated: 04/08/2025 16:30
Changes: 03/18/2015 15:15 (68), 07/23/2019 15:56 (9), 08/23/2021 07:30 (4), 08/23/2021 07:36 (1), 01/25/2025 19:23 (17), 04/08/2025 16:30 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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