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Security update for PHP4

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 12JUN2003)


solutions Security update for PHP4 SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (ec679005fffda0bacbc3d7b3fcef8dfc)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for x86
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM iSeries and IBM pSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM S/390 and IBM zSeries
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IBM zSeries
SuSE Linux Openexchange Server 4
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for IPF
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8 for AMD64

Package: mod_php4
mod_php4-devel
mod_php4-core
mod_php4-servlet
Release: 20030612
Obsoletes: none

Indications

Everyone using PHP4 should install this update.

Contraindications

None.

Problem description

Two bugs have been found within the session management of PHP4:
  • The function session_decode() causes a segmentation fault when used used without calling session_start() first.
  • Unsetting an element in the $_SESSION array and assigning a value to the corresponding global variable results in the content of the global variable being assigned to the session, despite the variable not being associated with the session anymore.
The following script illustrates the second problem:
session_start(); session_decode('example|s:14:"original value";'); #unset($_SESSION['example']); $example = 'assigned directly'; print(session_encode());
This script will print the stored value for the example session variable ("original value"), with the unset() call uncommented it will erroneously assign "assinged directly" to the session variable.

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as a selection of RPM packages that can easily be installed onto a running system by using this command:
rpm -Fvh mod_php4.rpm mod_php4-devel.rpm mod_php4-core.rpm mod_php4-servlet.rpm
Please do not forget to restart the web server or servlet engine after the update.

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.


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