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PHP "curl_init()" Safe Mode Bypass Weakness
Secunia Advisory: SA20337
Release Date: 2006-05-30
Last Update: 2006-08-18
Popularity: 13,229 views

Critical:
Not critical
Impact: Security Bypass
Where: Local system
Solution Status: Vendor Patch

Software:PHP 4.4.x
PHP 5.0.x
PHP 5.1.x

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CVE reference:CVE-2006-2563


Description:
Maksymilian Arciemowicz has discovered a weakness in PHP, which can be exploited by malicious, local users to bypass certain security restrictions.

The weakness is caused due to an error in the handling of null byte characters in the "curl_init()" PHP function in the curl extension. This can be exploited to bypass the safe mode protection and access other users' files located in the same directory as the running script.

Successful exploitation requires that the curl extension is installed and enabled.

The weakness has been confirmed in versions 5.0.5 and 5.1.4, and has also been reported in version 4.4.2. Other versions may also be affected.

Solution:
PHP 4.4.x:
Update to version 4.4.3.
http://www.php.net/downloads.php

PHP 5.1.x:
Update to version 5.1.5.
http://www.php.net/downloads.php

Do not rely on the safe mode protection for files located in the same directory as untrusted scripts.

Provided and/or discovered by:
Maksymilian Arciemowicz

Changelog:
2006-05-31: Added CVE reference.
2006-08-03: Updated "Solution" section.
2006-08-18: Updated "Solution" section.

Original Advisory:
http://securityreason.com/achievement_securityalert/39


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