CVE-2012-1823PHP-CGI Query String Parameter Vulnerability

sapi/cgi/cgi_main.c in PHP before 5.3.12 and 5.4.x before 5.4.2, when configured as a CGI script (aka php-cgi), does not properly handle query strings that lack an = (equals sign) character, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing command-line options in the query string, related to lack of skipping a certain php_getopt for the 'd' case.

9.8 CRITICALEPSS 99.99%⚡ Known Exploited (CISA KEV)NVD: Analyzed

Last updated: 2026-06-16 23:40 UTC

OverviewCVSS details

9.8CRITICALCVSS 3.1

Score source: CISA-ADP
NVD status: Analyzed
Published: May 11, 2012
Assigner: certcc

Affected

php (php)

Versions: before 5.3.12 · 5.4.0 before 5.4.2
Fixed in: 5.3.12, 5.4.2

+16 more products →

Exploitation

Public exploit: Yes · 4 references
CISA KEV: Listed · Mar 25, 2022
KEV due date: Apr 15, 2022
Ransomware use: Unknown
SSVC: Exploitation active · Automatable yes · Impact total

EPSS · FIRST, scored Nov 7

99.99%chance of exploitation in 30 days

Higher than 99.99% of CVEs

CVSS 3.1 · CISA-ADP

9.8Critical

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack vector: Network
Attack complexity: Low
Privileges required: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality impact: High
Integrity impact: High
Availability impact: High

CVSS 2.0 · NVD

7.5High

AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

Attack vector: Network
Attack complexity: Low
Authentication: None
Confidentiality impact: Partial
Integrity impact: Partial
Availability impact: Partial

NVD status: Analyzed

Overview Affected Products References

NVD CVE.org

Overview

Severity

Score	Severity	Version	Vector String
9.8	CRITICAL	3.1CISA-ADP	CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5	HIGH	2.0NVD	AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

CISA required action

⚡ Known exploited · remediation due Apr 15, 2022

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Details

CVE ID: CVE-2012-1823
Status: Analyzed
Assigner (CNA): certcc
Published: May 11, 2012
Last modified: 2026-06-16 23:40 UTC
Weaknesses: CWE-77
CWE-20

Sources

Refreshed hourly from the sources above. Last fetched 2026-11-08 12:45 UTC.