Description
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the transparent SID support capability for PHP before 4.3.2 (session.use_trans_sid) allows remote attackers to insert arbitrary script via the PHPSESSID parameter.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.0 | php4 | 4:4.1.2-6woody3 | DSA-351 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- PHP 4.x - Transparent Session ID Cross-Site Scripting EDB-22696 · remote · May 30, 2003 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-351 php4 - cross-site scripting Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- MDKSA-2003:082 vendor-advisory
- 1008653 vdb-entry
- 7761 vdb-entry
- CLSA-2003:691 vendor-advisory
- http://shh.thathost.com/secadv/2003-05-11-php.txt
- DSA-351 vendor-advisory
- php-session-id-xss(12259) vdb-entry
- 20030707 [OpenPKG-SA-2003.032] OpenPKG Security Advisory (php) mailing-list
- TLSA-2003-47 vendor-advisory
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:485 vdb-entry signature
- 20030530 PHP Trans SID XSS (Was: New php release with security fixes) mailing-list
- 4758 vdb-entry
- N-112 third-party-advisory government-resource
- RHSA-2003:204 vendor-advisory