CVE-2006-5178
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the...
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
6.2
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
- Record
CVE-2006-5178- CVSS 2.0
- 6.2 Medium
AV:L/AC:H/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Weakness
- CWE-362
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
- Record
CVE-2006-5178- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2006-5163 No score
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
- Record
EUVD-2006-5163- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-qq66-666f-6x36 No score
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the...
Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
- Record
GHSA-qq66-666f-6x36- Weakness
- CWE-362
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | PHP 5.2.12/5.3.1 - 'symlink()' open_basedir Bypass | 2009-12-19 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2006-5178 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 6.2) in Php, published October 6, 2006. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.66%, the 51st percentile. No source names a fixed version.
References
lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2006-October/049850.html
securityfocus.com/archive/1/448953/100/0/threaded
securityfocus.com/archive/1/447649/100/0/threaded
turbolinux.com/security/2006/TLSA-2006-38.txt
securityfocus.com/bid/20326
securityreason.com/securityalert/1692
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neosecurityteam.net/index.php?action=advisories&id=26
secunia.com/advisories/22235
securityfocus.com/archive/1/448020/100/0/threaded
vupen.com/english/advisories/2006/3901
exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/29340
mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2006:185
hardened-php.net/advisory_082006.132.html
securitytracker.com/id?1016977
secunia.com/advisories/22424
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2006-5178
github.com/advisories/GHSA-qq66-666f-6x36