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.

References

• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2009-4017
• https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/54455
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483
• https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667
• http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
• http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2
• http://news.php.net/php.announce/79
• http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228
• http://secunia.com/advisories/37482
• http://secunia.com/advisories/37821
• http://secunia.com/advisories/40262
• http://secunia.com/advisories/41480
• http://secunia.com/advisories/41490
• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
• http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940
• http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:303
• http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7
• http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php
• http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.php
• http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.php
• http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threaded
• http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593
• http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service