CVE-2009-4018
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1...
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
- Record
CVE-2009-4018- CVSS 2.0
- 7.5 High
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-264
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
- Record
CVE-2009-4018- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2009-3989 No score
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
- Record
EUVD-2009-3989- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-64wx-q8pj-gj2r No score
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1...
The proc_open function in ext/standard/proc_open.c in PHP before 5.2.11 and 5.3.x before 5.3.1 does not enforce the (1) safe_mode_allowed_env_vars and (2) safe_mode_protected_env_vars directives, which allows context-dependent attackers to execute programs with an arbitrary environment via the env parameter, as demonstrated by a crafted value of the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable.
- Record
GHSA-64wx-q8pj-gj2r- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Exploit-DB | Kolang 4.3.10 < 5.3.0 - 'proc_open()' PHP 'safe_mode' Bypass | 2010-03-05 |
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-2009-4018 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Php, published November 27, 2009. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 11.3%, the 96th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
References
secunia.com/advisories/40262
oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7256
marc.info?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2
svn.php.net/viewvc/php/php-src/branches/PHP_5_2/ext/standard/proc_open.c?r1=286360&r2=286359&pathrev=286360
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openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/23/15
itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995
php.net/ChangeLog-5.php
securityfocus.com/bid/37138
bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=49026
mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-4018
github.com/advisories/GHSA-64wx-q8pj-gj2r