Description
The chunk_split function in string.c in PHP 5.2.3 does not properly calculate the needed buffer size due to precision loss when performing integer arithmetic with floating point numbers, which has unknown attack vectors and impact, possibly resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: this is due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2007-2872.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Application Stack 2 | php +18 | 5.2.3-3.el5s2 | RHSA-2007:0917 |
Advisories 1
- RHSA-2007:0917 Red Hat Security Advisory: php security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jan 14, 2026
References
- https://launchpad.net/bugs/173043
- SUSE-SA:2008:004 vendor-advisory
- 28658 third-party-advisory
- GLSA-200710-02 vendor-advisory
- 27864 third-party-advisory
- http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php#5.2.4
- USN-549-1 vendor-advisory
- https://issues.rpath.com/browse/RPL-1702
- 26838 third-party-advisory
- 27102 third-party-advisory
- http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_4.php
- USN-549-2 vendor-advisory
- http://cvs.php.net/viewvc.cgi/php-src/ext/standard/string.c?r1=1.445.2.14.2.58&r2=1.445.2.14.2.59
- 26642 third-party-advisory