Description
The var_export function in PHP 5.2 before 5.2.14 and 5.3 before 5.3.3 flushes the output buffer to the user when certain fatal errors occur, even if display_errors is off, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by causing the application to exceed limits for memory, execution time, or recursion.
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 6.0 | php5 | 5.3.3-7+squeeze3 | DSA-2266-1 |
| Debian 5.0 | php5 | 5.2.6.dfsg.1-1+lenny12 | DSA-2266-1 |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 5 | php +18 | 5.1.6-27.el5_5.3 | RHSA-2010:0919 |
| RHEL 4 | php +13 | 4.3.9-3.31 | RHSA-2010:0919 |
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2010:0919 Red Hat Security Advisory: php security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- DSA-2266-1 php5 - several Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4435
- HPSBOV02763 vendor-advisory
- HPSBMA02662 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100716 Re: Re: CVE request, php var_export mailing-list
- http://svn.php.net/viewvc/php/php-src/trunk/ext/standard/tests/general_functions/var_export_error2.phpt?view=log&pathrev=301143
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=617673
- DSA-2266 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-11-10-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2010:0919 vendor-advisory
- APPLE-SA-2010-08-24-1 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20100713 CVE request, php var_export mailing-list
- http://www.php.net/archive/2010.php#id2010-07-22-2
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4312
- 42410 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2010:017 vendor-advisory
- http://www.php.net/archive/2010.php#id2010-07-22-1
- SUSE-SR:2010:018 vendor-advisory
- ADV-2010-3081 vdb-entry