CVE-2022-31628 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in PHP versions before 7.4.31, 8.0.24, and 8.1.11 could lead to a denial-of-service (DOS) condition due to an issue with the phar uncompressor code.

Understanding CVE-2022-31628

This vulnerability in PHP allows for an infinite loop when recursively uncompressing "quines" gzip files.

What is CVE-2022-31628?

In PHP versions prior to 7.4.31, 8.0.24, and 8.1.11, the phar uncompressor code could get stuck in an infinite loop while uncompressing certain gzip files, resulting in a DOS condition.

The Impact of CVE-2022-31628

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for a denial-of-service attack, where an attacker could exploit the recursive uncompression of specific gzip files to cause the application to hang indefinitely, leading to service unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-31628

This section covers the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the recursive uncompression of "quines" gzip files in PHP versions prior to 7.4.31, 8.0.24, and 8.1.11, causing the application to enter an infinite loop.

Affected Systems and Versions

PHP versions 7.4.X (prior to 7.4.31), 8.0.X (prior to 8.0.24), and 8.1.X (prior to 8.1.11) are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious "quine" gzip file and tricking the application into recursively uncompressing it, resulting in a denial-of-service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-31628, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching recommendations should be followed.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade to PHP versions 7.4.31, 8.0.24, or 8.1.11 to mitigate the vulnerability and prevent possible DOS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update PHP to the latest stable versions to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched, reducing the risk of security incidents.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from PHP and apply patches promptly to protect systems from emerging threats.