CVE-2012-1823
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…
Browse: All 2012 CVEs · All vendors
- CVSS score
- 9.8 Critical
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- CISA KEV
- Yes — actively exploited (added 2022-03-25, remediation due 2022-04-15)
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-77
- Published
- 2012-05-11
- Last modified
- 2026-06-16
- NVD status
- Analyzed
Description
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.
Affected products
- php php
- fedoraproject fedora
- debian debian linux
- hp hp-ux
- opensuse opensuse
- suse linux enterprise server
- suse linux enterprise software development kit
- apple mac os x
- redhat application stack
- redhat gluster storage server for on-premise
- redhat storage
- redhat storage for public cloud
Affected ranges per NVD CPE data; confirm exact versions in the vendor advisory.
Required action (CISA)
Apply updates per vendor instructions. Federal remediation deadline: 2022-04-15.
How to prioritize this
This vulnerability is on the CISA KEV list, meaning it is being actively exploited — treat it as urgent regardless of the raw CVSS number. Use the live CVE lookup for the latest NVD data, and the CVSS 3.1 calculator to model your own environmental score. For the actively exploited vulnerabilities that matter this week, read The Exploit HQ daily security brief.
References
- http://eindbazen.net/2012/05/php-cgi-advisory-cve-2012-1823/
- http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c03360041
- http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2012/Sep/msg00004.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00002.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00007.html
- http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2012-05/msg00011.html
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=134012830914727&w=2
- http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2012-0546.html
FAQ
Is CVE-2012-1823 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2012-1823 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog on 2022-03-25, with a federal remediation deadline of 2022-04-15. A KEV listing means real-world exploitation is confirmed, so patching this should be prioritized above many higher-CVSS bugs that aren't being exploited.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2012-1823?
CVE-2012-1823 has a CVSS base score of 9.8 (Critical). Its vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Related vulnerabilities
- CVE-2016-10033 — PHP PHPMailer
- CVE-2019-11043 — PHP FastCGI Process Manager (FPM)
- CVE-2026-105134 — Ahsay AhsayCBS
- CVE-2026-96951 — Microsoft Windows
- CVE-2016-3081 — Apache Struts
- CVE-2026-8037 — Progress LoadMaster
Data source: NVD & CISA KEV. Shown as-is; nothing added. Last generated from NVD data — re-check the live tool for updates.
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