PHP: Memory disclosure and arbitrary location file upload

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200410-04 / PHP
Release Date	October 06, 2004
Latest Revision	October 06, 2004: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
dev-php/php	< 4.3.9	>= 4.3.9	All supported architectures
dev-php/mod_php	< 4.3.9	>= 4.3.9	All supported architectures
dev-php/php-cgi	< 4.3.9	>= 4.3.9	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #64223

Synopsis

Two bugs in PHP may allow the disclosure of portions of memory and allow remote attackers to upload files to arbitrary locations.

2. Impact Information

Background

PHP is a general-purpose scripting language widely used to develop web-based applications. It can run inside a web server using the mod_php module or the CGI version of PHP, or can run stand-alone in a CLI.

Description

Stefano Di Paola discovered two bugs in PHP. The first is a parse error in php_variables.c that could allow a remote attacker to view the contents of the target machine's memory. Additionally, an array processing error in the SAPI_POST_HANDLER_FUNC() function inside rfc1867.c could lead to the $_FILES array being overwritten.

Impact

A remote attacker could exploit the first vulnerability to view memory contents. On a server with a script that provides file uploads, an attacker could exploit the second vulnerability to upload files to an arbitrary location. On systems where the HTTP server is allowed to write in a HTTP-accessible location, this could lead to remote execution of arbitrary commands with the rights of the HTTP server.

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All PHP, mod_php and php-cgi users should upgrade to the latest stable version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge sync
# emerge -pv ">=dev-php/php-4.3.9"
# emerge ">=dev-php/php-4.3.9"
# emerge -pv ">=dev-php/mod_php-4.3.9"
# emerge ">=dev-php/mod_php-4.3.9"
# emerge -pv ">=dev-php/php-cgi-4.3.9"
# emerge ">=dev-php/php-cgi-4.3.9"

4. References

Updated October 06, 2004

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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