CVE-2015-5243: phpWhois Arbitrary Code Execution
Summary
CVE-2015-5243: phpWhois arbitrary code execution via a crafted whois record. Affects jsmitty12/phpwhois versions < 5.1.0. Fixed in 5.1.0. How to fix ↓
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Background
phpWhois is an open-source library used for performing WHOIS queries on domain names. It provides functionality to retrieve domain registration information from WHOIS servers. The library is commonly used in PHP applications to gather information about domain names, such as ownership, registration dates, and contact details. However, a critical vulnerability has been discovered in phpWhois that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting a crafted WHOIS record.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in phpWhois arises from a lack of proper input validation when processing WHOIS records. An attacker can send a specially crafted WHOIS record that contains malicious code. When this record is processed by phpWhois, the code is executed within the application's context, leading to arbitrary code execution. This can result in various consequences, including unauthorized access, data theft, or even complete compromise of the affected system.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
5.1.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require jsmitty12/phpwhois:5.1.0Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating the phpWhois library is not immediately feasible, a temporary workaround can be implemented by implementing strict input validation when processing WHOIS records. This can be done by thoroughly validating and sanitizing the input data to ensure that it does not contain any malicious code. Additionally, it is recommended to restrict access to the phpWhois functionality to trusted sources only.
Conclusion
The phpWhois library is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution due to a lack of input validation. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is essential to update the library to version 5.1.0 or later. If immediate update is not possible, strict input validation and access restriction can serve as temporary workarounds. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for jsmitty12/phpwhois →
FAQ
phpWhois is an open-source library used for performing WHOIS queries on domain names. It provides functionality to retrieve domain registration information from WHOIS servers.
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. This can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, or complete compromise of the system.
To fix this vulnerability, update the phpWhois library to version 5.1.0 or later. This version includes a patch that addresses the input validation issue.
If updating the library is not immediately feasible, implement strict input validation when processing WHOIS records and restrict access to the phpWhois functionality to trusted sources.
There are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability at the moment. However, it is crucial to apply the recommended fixes to prevent any potential exploitation.
References
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