Description
php_variables.c in PHP before 5.0.2 allows remote attackers to read sensitive memory contents via (1) GET, (2) POST, or (3) COOKIE GPC variables that end in an open bracket character, which causes PHP to calculate an incorrect string length.
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.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 3 | php +6 | 4.3.2-19.ent | RHSA-2004:687 |
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/5.0.1 - PHP_Variables Remote Memory Disclosure EDB-24656 · remote · Sep 15, 2004 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2004:687 Red Hat Security Advisory: php security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- 20040915 [VulnWatch] PHP Vulnerability N. 1 mailing-list
- 20040915 PHP Vulnerability N. 1 mailing-list
- 12560 third-party-advisory
- 1011279 vdb-entry
- FLSA:2344 vendor-advisory
- php-phpinfo-disclose-memory(17393) vdb-entry
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:10863 vdb-entry signature
- RHSA-2004:687 vendor-advisory