PHP < 5.3.12 / 5.4.x < 5.4.2 CGI Query String Code Execution
High Nessus Network Monitor Plugin ID 6993
Synopsis
The remote web server uses a version of PHP that is affected by a code execution vulnerability.
Description
PHP versions earlier than 5.3.12 / 5.4.2 are affected by the following vulnerabilities.
An error in the file 'sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c' can allow a remote attacker to obtain PHP source code from the web server or to potentially execute arbitrary code. In vulnerable configurations, PHP treats certain query string parameters as command line arguments including switches such as '-s', '-d', and '-c'.
Note that this vulnerability is exploitable only when PHP is used in CGI-based configurations. Apache with 'mod_php' is not an exploitable configuration.
Solution
Upgrade to PHP version 5.3.12 / 5.4.2 or later. A 'mod_rewrite' workaround is available as well.