CVE-2003-0559: mainfile.php in phpforum 2 RC-1, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary P

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2003-0559 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting phpforum. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

mainfile.php in phpforum 2 RC-1, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the MAIN_PATH parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	1.4% (top 28%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2003-08-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: phpforum

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2003-08-18 04:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:02 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpforum phpforum DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.0_rc1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0_rc1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0_rc1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpforum sudo apt install phpforum=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0_rc1> sudo apt-mark hold phpforum

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

dnf --showduplicates list phpforum sudo dnf downgrade phpforum-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0_rc1> sudo dnf versionlock add phpforum

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-2003-0559?

phpforum: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2003-0559 being exploited?

CVE-2003-0559 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-2003-0559 affect?

CVE-2003-0559 affects phpforum. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). mainfile.php in phpforum 2 RC-1, and possibly earlier versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by modifying the MAIN_PATH parameter to reference a URL on a remote web server that contains the code.

How urgent is CVE-2003-0559?

Priority 44/100. High severity

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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