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TITLE:
PHP "curl_init()" Safe Mode Bypass Weakness

SECUNIA ADVISORY ID:
SA20337

VERIFY ADVISORY:
http://secunia.com/advisories/20337/

CRITICAL:
Not critical

IMPACT:
Security Bypass

WHERE:
Local system

SOFTWARE:
PHP 5.1.x
http://secunia.com/product/6796/
PHP 4.4.x
http://secunia.com/product/5768/
PHP 5.0.x
http://secunia.com/product/3919/

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:
The weakness has been fixed in the CVS repository.

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

ORIGINAL ADVISORY:
http://securityreason.com/achievement_securityalert/39

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About:
This Advisory was delivered by Secunia as a free service to help
everybody keeping their systems up to date against the latest
vulnerabilities.

Subscribe:
http://secunia.com/secunia_security_advisories/

Definitions: (Criticality, Where etc.)
http://secunia.com/about_secunia_advisories/


Please Note:
Secunia recommends that you verify all advisories you receive by
clicking the link.
Secunia NEVER sends attached files with advisories.
Secunia does not advise people to install third party patches, only
use those supplied by the vendor.

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