Vulnerability identifier: #VU221

Vulnerability risk: High

CVSSv3.1: 8.7 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2016-6296

CWE-ID: CWE-119

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
PHP
Universal components / Libraries / Scripting languages
macOS
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: PHP Group
Apple Inc.

Description
The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to heap-based buffer overflow in simplestring_addn() function ('simplestring.c') within the XMLRPC component. A remote unauthenticated attacker can cause a heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

Mitigation
Install the latest versions: (5.5.38, 5.6.24, 7.0.9).

Vulnerable software versions

PHP: 5.6.0 - 5.6.23, 5.5.0 - 5.5.37, 7.0.0 - 7.0.8

macOS: 15.6.0, 15.5.0, 15.4.0, 15.3.0, 15.2.0, 15.0.0

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External links
http://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=72606
http://php.net/ChangeLog-5.php#5.5.38
http://php.net/ChangeLog-5.php#5.6.24
http://php.net/ChangeLog-7.php#7.0.9
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207170

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.