CVE-2009-4017

Name: CVE-2009-4017
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2009-11-24T00:30:00.5+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 12.04%

Last modified Jun 16, 2026

CVE-2009-4017 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. 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.. EPSS estimates a 12.04% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

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.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

12.04%

95.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-770

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Php	Php	< 5.2.12
Php	Php	5.3.0
Apple	Mac Os X	10.6.3
Debian	Debian Linux	4.0
Debian	Debian Linux	5.0
Debian	Debian Linux	6.0

References

http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.htmlMailing List
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2Third Party Advisory
http://news.php.net/php.announce/79Mailing List, Release Notes
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/37482Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/37821Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/40262Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/41480Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/41490Broken Link
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077Third Party Advisory
http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service/Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305Broken Link
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2Mailing List, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7Mailing List
http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.phpRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.phpRelease Notes
http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.phpRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54455Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483Broken Link
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667Broken Link
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.htmlMailing List
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2Third Party Advisory
http://news.php.net/php.announce/79Mailing List, Release Notes
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://secunia.com/advisories/37482Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/37821Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/40262Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/41480Broken Link
http://secunia.com/advisories/41490Broken Link
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077Third Party Advisory
http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service/Third Party Advisory
http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303Broken Link
http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305Broken Link
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2Mailing List, Patch
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7Mailing List
http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.phpRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.phpRelease Notes
http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.phpRelease Notes, Vendor Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threadedBroken Link, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593Broken Link
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54455Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483Broken Link
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667Broken Link

Timeline

Published: Nov 24, 2009
Last Modified: Jun 16, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2009-4017?

How severe is CVE-2009-4017?

Severity scoring for CVE-2009-4017 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 12.04% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2009-4017?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2009-4017?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST