Description
The JSON_parser function (ext/json/JSON_parser.c) in PHP 5.2.x before 5.2.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a malformed string to the json_decode API function.
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 5.0 | php5 | 5.2.6.dfsg.1-1+lenny3 | DSA-1789-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | php-json-ext | 1.2.1-3.2+etch1 | DSA-1775-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | php5 | 5.2.0+dfsg-8+etch15 | DSA-1789-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Rhel Application Stack 2 | php +18 | 5.2.6-4.el5s2 | RHSA-2009:0350 |
Advisories 3
- DSA-1775-1 php-json-ext - denial of service Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1789-1 php5 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- RHSA-2009:0350 Red Hat Security Advisory: php security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 22, 2025
References
- [oss-security] 20090401 CVE request: PHP 5.2.9 mailing-list
- DSA-1775 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-3768 vendor-advisory
- http://cvs.php.net/viewvc.cgi/php-src/ext/json/JSON_parser.c?r1=1.1.2.14&r2=1.1.2.15
- 34770 third-party-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2009-09-10-2 vendor-advisory
- http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_9.php
- 35007 third-party-advisory
- 34933 third-party-advisory
- 34830 third-party-advisory
- USN-761-2 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2009:0350 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2009-3848 vendor-advisory
- 35003 third-party-advisory
- 35685 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2009:012 vendor-advisory
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3865
- 36701 third-party-advisory
- MDVSA-2009:090 vendor-advisory
- 35306 third-party-advisory
- USN-761-1 vendor-advisory
- DSA-1789 vendor-advisory