CVERadar
CRITICAL · CVSS 3.1 9.8CISA KEV · added 2022-03-25Metasploit moduleExploit-DBPublic PoCEPSS 100.00% (p100)Threat level 94

CVE-2012-1823: PHP-CGI Query String Parameter Vulnerability

PHP · PHP · NVD published 2012-05-11 · posted 2026-10-21 · last modified 2026-06-17

What it is

sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c in PHP before 5.3.12 and 5.4.x before 5.4.2, when configured as a CGI script (aka php-cgi), does not properly handle query strings that lack an = (equals sign) character, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing command-line options in the query string, related to lack of skipping a certain php_getopt for the 'd' case.

WeaknessCWE-77CWE-20
CVSS vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (source: 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0)
CISA due date2022-04-15 (for US federal agencies under BOD; a good deadline for everyone)
ATT&CK tacticsInitial Access → Execution

Exploitation evidence

First exploit evidence seen: 2012-05-03 (earliest date across the sources below).

Exploited in the wild

  • CISA KEV: listed since 2022-03-25. Source

Public exploit code

Metasploit

Exploit-DB

  • EDB-18834: PHP 5.3.12/5.4.2 - CGI Argument Injection (Metasploit) (2012-05-04, verified)
  • EDB-18836: PHP < 5.3.12 / < 5.4.2 - CGI Argument Injection (2012-05-05, verified)
  • EDB-29290: Apache + PHP < 5.3.12 / < 5.4.2 - cgi-bin Remote Code Execution (2013-10-29, verified)
  • EDB-29316: Apache + PHP < 5.3.12 / < 5.4.2 - Remote Code Execution + Scanner (2013-10-31)

GitHub proof-of-concept repositories

16 public repositories from 16 accounts, first seen 2015-09-08. Most starred: 0xl0k1/CVE-2012-1823 (12 stars), view repository.

Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.

Sources: CISA KEV · Rapid7 Metasploit Framework module metadata · Exploit-DB (OffSec) · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.

Defend the Chain

The attack chain for CVE-2012-1823 laid across the MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise tactics. Solid cards come from the MITRE CTID KEV mappings; dashed cards are inferred by CVERadar from the CWE or description. Correct defences are real ATT&CK mitigations for that technique.

Threat level 94/100
Defender level 1 · 0 XP
Chain links broken: 0/3

Reconnaissance

Resource Development

Initial Access

Execution

Persistence

Privilege Escalation

Stealth

Defense Impairment

Credential Access

Discovery

Lateral Movement

Collection

Command and Control

Exfiltration

Impact

Pick a red technique card on the board, then choose the defence that stops it.

Defend against T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Inferred

Inferred from CWE CWE-77

How to fix it

CISA required action

Apply updates per vendor instructions. (source: CISA KEV)

Fixed versions

  • php php: upgrade to 5.3.12 or later
  • php php: upgrade to 5.4.2 or later (affected from 5.4.0)
  • apple mac os x: upgrade to 10.7.5 or later (affected from 10.6.8)
  • apple mac os x: upgrade to 10.8.2 or later (affected from 10.8.0)

Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.

Vendor advisories and patches

MITRE ATT&CK mitigations for this chain

  • M1048 Application Isolation and Sandboxing (for T1190, T1203) : Application isolation will limit what other processes and system features the exploited target can access.
  • M1037 Filter Network Traffic (for T1190) : Restrict outbound network traffic from public-facing servers to prevent unauthorized connections from initiating communications with attacker-controlled infrastructure. While this may not prevent the initial exploitation, it limits the attacker's ability to verify and control the compromised server post-exploit, reduci
  • M1030 Network Segmentation (for T1190) : Segment externally facing servers and services from the rest of the network with a DMZ or on separate hosting infrastructure.
  • M1016 Vulnerability Scanning (for T1190) : Regularly scan externally facing systems for vulnerabilities and establish procedures to rapidly patch systems when critical vulnerabilities are discovered through scanning and through public disclosure.
  • M1026 Privileged Account Management (for T1190, T1059) : Use least privilege for service accounts will limit what permissions the exploited process gets on the rest of the system.
  • M1050 Exploit Protection (for T1190, T1203) : Web Application Firewalls may be used to limit exposure of applications to prevent exploit traffic from reaching the application.
  • M1035 Limit Access to Resource Over Network (for T1190) : Ensure that all publicly exposed services are actually intended to be so, and restrict access to any that should only be available internally.
  • M1051 Update Software (for T1190, T1203) : Update software regularly by employing patch management for externally exposed applications.
  • M1033 Limit Software Installation (for T1059) : Prevent user installation of unrequired command and scripting interpreters.
  • M1045 Code Signing (for T1059) : Where possible, only permit execution of signed scripts.

Detection Generic guidance

  • Initial Access: Alert on unusual requests to the affected service (odd paths, oversized payloads, exploit strings) in WAF, reverse-proxy and application logs.
  • Execution: Watch for the service process spawning shells or script interpreters (cmd.exe, powershell, sh, bash, python) via EDR process-tree rules.

Response checklist Generic guidance

  1. Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
  2. Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
  3. Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
  4. Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.

Sources