Security

Mitigation Instructions for PHP Unsupported Version Detection

Written by CyRisk Vulnerability Management Team | Jul 12, 2024 8:43:25 PM

Subject: PHP Unsupported Version Detection

Tech Stack:

  • PHP

Date Issued:

  • Original Date: 2012-05-04
  • Last Modified Date: 2024-05-31

Criticality:

  • Severity: Critical
  • Description: The remote host contains an unsupported version of PHP, which is no longer receiving security patches and updates from the vendor, making it vulnerable to security risks.

Overview:

  • Running an unsupported version of PHP on a server implies that no new security patches or updates will be provided by the vendor. This increases the likelihood of the installation being vulnerable to security exploits and attacks, as any newly discovered vulnerabilities will not be addressed.

Attack Mechanisms:

  1. Exploitation of Known Vulnerabilities:
    • Attackers can exploit known vulnerabilities in the unsupported PHP version to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code.
  2. Denial of Service:
    • Vulnerabilities in unsupported PHP versions may be exploited to crash the service, resulting in a denial of service.
  3. Information Disclosure:
    • Exploiting vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information stored or processed by the application.

Affected Systems:

  • Any system running an unsupported version of PHP.

Mitigation Solution:

  1. Upgrade: Upgrade to a supported version of PHP. Refer to the PHP Supported Versions page for current support status.
  2. Patch Management: Regularly apply patches and updates to all software components, including PHP and associated libraries.
  3. Security Best Practices: Implement best practices for securing PHP applications, such as disabling unnecessary features, using secure configurations, and conducting regular security audits.

References: