CVE-2020-5301: SimpleSAMLphp versions before 1.18.6 contain an information disclosure vulnerability. The module controller in `SimpleSAML\Module` that processes requ...

Description

SimpleSAMLphp versions before 1.18.6 contain an information disclosure vulnerability. The module controller in `SimpleSAML\Module` that processes requests for pages hosted by modules, has code to identify paths ending with `.php` and process those as PHP code. If no other suitable way of handling the given path exists it presents the file to the browser. The check to identify paths ending with `.php` does not account for uppercase letters. If someone requests a path ending with e.g. `.PHP` and the server is serving the code from a case-insensitive file system, such as on Windows, the processing of the PHP code does not occur, and the source code is instead presented to the browser. An attacker may use this issue to gain access to the source code in third-party modules that is meant to be private, or even sensitive. However, the attack surface is considered small, as the attack will only work when SimpleSAMLphp serves such content from a file system that is not case-sensitive, such as on Windows. This issue is fixed in version 1.18.6.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

3.1/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

EPSS Probability

0.92%

55.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Simplesamlphp	Simplesamlphp	< 1.18.6

References

https://github.com/simplesamlphp/simplesamlphp/commit/47968d26a2fd3ed52da70dc09210921d612ce44ePatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/simplesamlphp/simplesamlphp/security/advisories/GHSA-24m3-w8g9-jwpqThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/simplesamlphp/simplesamlphp/commit/47968d26a2fd3ed52da70dc09210921d612ce44ePatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/simplesamlphp/simplesamlphp/security/advisories/GHSA-24m3-w8g9-jwpqThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Apr 21, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-5301?

SimpleSAMLphp versions before 1.18.6 contain an information disclosure vulnerability. The module controller in `SimpleSAML\Module` that processes requests for pages hosted by modules, has code to identify paths ending with `.php` and process those as PHP code. If no other suitable way of handling the given path exists it presents the file to the browser. The check to identify paths ending with `.php` does not account for uppercase letters. If someone requests a path ending with e.g. `.PHP` and the server is serving the code from a case-insensitive file system, such as on Windows, the processing of the PHP code does not occur, and the source code is instead presented to the browser. An attacker may use this issue to gain access to the source code in third-party modules that is meant to be private, or even sensitive. However, the attack surface is considered small, as the attack will only work when SimpleSAMLphp serves such content from a file system that is not case-sensitive, such as on Windows. This issue is fixed in version 1.18.6.

How severe is CVE-2020-5301?

CVE-2020-5301 has a CVSS score of 3.1/10 (LOW severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.92% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-5301?

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.