CVE-2009-4017

Status: ModifiedMedium (5)—💥 Exploit
PHP before 5.2.12 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not restrict the number of temporary files created when handling a multipart/form-data POST request, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion), and makes it easier for remote attackers to exploit local file inclusion vulnerabilities, via multiple requests, related to lack of support for the max_file_uploads directive.
CVSS

Version: 2.0
Vector: AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
Base score: 5
Exploitation probability (EPSS)

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days: 12%
Percentile among all scored CVEs: 96
Score date: 10/12/2026
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System, FIRST) estimates how likely a vulnerability is to be exploited in the wild within 30 days. It complements CVSS (impact) and CISA KEV (confirmed exploitation).
💥 Public exploits

Exploit code or detection templates are publicly available. This is not the same as confirmed active exploitation (KEV), but it raises the risk: patch with priority.
Published on Exploit-DB · PHP < 5.3.1 - 'MultiPart/form-data' Denial of Service (11/27/2009)
Affected technologies (3)

Apple — MAC OS X Debian — Debian Linux PHP — PHP
CWEs

CWE-770
References

Raw JSON (NVD)

Show
{
  "id": "CVE-2009-4017",
  "cveTags": [],
  "metrics": {
    "cvssMetricV2": [
      {
        "type": "Primary",
        "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
        "cvssData": {
          "version": "2.0",
          "baseScore": 5,
          "accessVector": "NETWORK",
          "vectorString": "AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P",
          "authentication": "NONE",
          "integrityImpact": "NONE",
          "accessComplexity": "LOW",
          "availabilityImpact": "PARTIAL",
          "confidentialityImpact": "NONE"
        },
        "acInsufInfo": false,
        "impactScore": 2.9,
        "baseSeverity": "MEDIUM",
        "obtainAllPrivilege": false,
        "exploitabilityScore": 10,
        "obtainUserPrivilege": false,
        "obtainOtherPrivilege": false,
        "userInteractionRequired": false
      }
    ]
  },
  "affected": [
    {
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com",
      "affectedData": [
        {
          "vendor": "n/a",
          "product": "n/a",
          "versions": [
            {
              "status": "affected",
              "version": "n/a"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "published": "2009-11-24T00:30:00.500",
  "references": [
    {
      "url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://news.php.net/php.announce/79",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Release Notes"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/37482",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/37821",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/40262",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/41480",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/41490",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service/",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Patch"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threaded",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54455",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "secalert@redhat.com"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://news.php.net/php.announce/79",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Release Notes"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/37482",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/37821",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/40262",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/41480",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://secunia.com/advisories/41490",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service/",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Third Party Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List",
        "Patch"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7",
      "tags": [
        "Mailing List"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.php",
      "tags": [
        "Release Notes",
        "Vendor Advisory"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threaded",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link",
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54455",
      "tags": [
        "Third Party Advisory",
        "VDB Entry"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667",
      "tags": [
        "Broken Link"
      ],
      "source": "af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108"
    }
  ],
  "vulnStatus": "Modified",
  "weaknesses": [
    {
      "type": "Primary",
      "source": "nvd@nist.gov",
      "description": [
        {
          "lang": "en",
          "value": "CWE-770"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "descriptions": [
    {
      "lang": "en",
      "value": "PHP before 5.2.12 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not restrict the number of temporary files created when handling a multipart/form-data POST request, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (resource exhaustion), and makes it easier for remote attackers to exploit local file inclusion vulnerabilities, via multiple requests, related to lack of support for the max_file_uploads directive."
    },
    {
      "lang": "es",
      "value": "PHP v5.2.11, y v5.3.x antes de v5.3.1, no restringen el número de archivos temporales creados al manipular una solicitud POST multipart/form-data, lo que permite a atacantes remotos causar una denegación de servicio (por agotamiento de recursos), y facilita a los atacantes remotos aprovecharse de las vulnerabilidades de inclusión de archivos locales, a través de múltiples peticiones, en relación a la falta de apoyo a la directiva max_file_uploads."
    }
  ],
  "lastModified": "2026-06-16T23:12:50.250",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "negate": false,
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "F2304370-EDAF-4417-B624-498C427EBF53",
              "versionEndExcluding": "5.2.12"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "A315BCF0-71F5-4664-B25B-019B8A1075BD"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:alpha1:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "1DF14239-64E0-46F0-A8DE-8BB11EEC2F1F"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:alpha2:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "BDC814D7-52A0-4610-B812-1F47C08BEF8C"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:alpha3:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "9E66A080-A759-41BA-99A6-70074DF2A1E0"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "F9D343FF-1DC6-477C-8DBA-D3C309D1B9BF"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "1F397590-70B4-43B9-9F5B-BC1020393A68"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "17586008-7FBC-4238-B208-4563040D1982"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:rc3:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "F5D02F98-10F7-4F7B-A31E-7C28EC034BBD"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:php:php:5.3.0:rc4:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "8F021309-38E4-4D19-B1EB-975D9F42F4F3"
            }
          ],
          "operator": "OR"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "nodes": [
        {
          "negate": false,
          "cpeMatch": [
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:apple:mac_os_x:10.6.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "546EBFC8-79F0-42C2-9B9A-A76CA3F19470"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "0F92AB32-E7DE-43F4-B877-1F41FA162EC7"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "8C757774-08E7-40AA-B532-6F705C8F7639"
            },
            {
              "criteria": "cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:6.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
              "vulnerable": true,
              "matchCriteriaId": "036E8A89-7A16-411F-9D31-676313BB7244"
            }
          ],
          "operator": "OR"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sourceIdentifier": "secalert@redhat.com"
}