#VU40513 Format string error in PHP - CVE-2015-8617

Vulnerability identifier: #VU40513

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 8.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2015-8617

CWE-ID: CWE-134

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: Yes

Vulnerable software:
PHP
Universal components / Libraries / Scripting languages

Vendor: PHP Group

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote non-authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code.

Format string vulnerability in the zend_throw_or_error function in Zend/zend_execute_API.c in PHP 7.x before 7.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a string that is misused as a class name, leading to incorrect error handling.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

PHP: 7.0.1

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External links
https://php.net/ChangeLog-7.php
https://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034543
https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=71105
https://github.com/php/php-src/commit/b101a6bbd4f2181c360bd38e7683df4a03cba83e

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability. However, proof of concept for this vulnerability is available.