CVE-2002-0985: Argument injection vulnerability in the mail function for PHP 4.x to 4.2.2 may allow attackers to bypass safe

This month

HIGH 7.5UPGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2002-0985 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting php, openpkg. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Argument injection vulnerability in the mail function for PHP 4.x to 4.2.2 may allow attackers to bypass safe mode restrictions and modify command line arguments to the MTA (e.g. sendmail) in the 5th argument to mail(), altering MTA behavior and possibly executing commands.

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-88
Published	2002-09-24
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: openpkg · php

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2002-09-24 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 21:58 UTCUpdated Record last modified

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 4.0 and <= 4.2.2

Fixed in: newer than 4.2.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy php || rpm -q php || php --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 4.2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade php

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold php

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list php sudo dnf downgrade php-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add php

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

openpkg openpkg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.1 · 1.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy openpkg || rpm -q openpkg || openpkg --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison openpkg sudo apt install openpkg=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo apt-mark hold openpkg

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list openpkg sudo dnf downgrade openpkg-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo dnf versionlock add openpkg

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2002-0985?

php: upgrade to newer than 4.2.2; openpkg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2002-0985 being exploited?

CVE-2002-0985 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2002-0985 affect?

CVE-2002-0985 affects php, openpkg. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Argument injection vulnerability in the mail function for PHP 4.x to 4.2.2 may allow attackers to bypass safe mode restrictions and modify command line arguments to the MTA (e.g. sendmail) in the 5th argument to mail(), altering MTA behavio

How urgent is CVE-2002-0985?

Priority 48/100. High severity

Software pages

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References

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