CVE-2012-1823
KEVPHP-CGI Query String Parameter Vulnerability
Description
sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c in PHP, when configured as a CGI script, does not properly handle query strings, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c in PHP before 5.3.12 and 5.4.x before 5.4.2, when configured as a CGI script (aka php-cgi), does not properly handle query strings that lack an = (equals sign) character, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing command-line options in the query string, related to lack of skipping a certain php_getopt for the 'd' case.
CVSS 3.1 vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HPublishedMay 11, 2012
Last modifiedJun 16, 2026
Added to KEVMar 25, 2022
Remediation dueApr 15, 2022
References
- eindbazen.net/2012/05/php-cgi-advisory-cve-2012-1823/Broken LinkExploit
- h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c03360041Broken Link
- lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/Sep/msg00004.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00002.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00007.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00011.htmlMailing ListThird Party Advisory
- marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=134012830914727&w=2Mailing List
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0546.htmlThird Party Advisory
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0547.htmlThird Party Advisory
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0568.htmlThird Party Advisory
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0569.htmlThird Party Advisory
- rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0570.htmlThird Party Advisory
0 recent articles mention this CVE
89
Risk assessment · Critical
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1655 days
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 100.0% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-77
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- Preconditions
- No privileges and no user interaction
Recommended actions
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.