CVE-2005-3738: globals.php in Mambo Site Server 4.0.14 and earlier, when register_globals is disabled, allows remote attacker

Routine

LOW 2.6DOWNGRADE

CVE-2005-3738 is a low-severity flaw (CVSS 2.6) affecting mambo site server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

globals.php in Mambo Site Server 4.0.14 and earlier, when register_globals is disabled, allows remote attackers to overwrite variables in the GLOBALS array and conduct various attacks, as demonstrated using the mosConfig_absolute_path parameter to content.html.php for remote PHP file inclusion.

Why this priority

EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	2.6 (Low)
EPSS exploit chance	4.9% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2005-11-22
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mambo

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2005-11-22 11:03 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:17 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mambo mambo site server DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.0 · 4.0.10 · 4.0.11 · 4.0.12 · 4.0.12_beta · 4.0.12_beta_2 · 4.0.12_rc1 · 4.0.12_rc2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mambo-site-server || rpm -q mambo-site-server || mambo-site-server --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mambo-site-server sudo apt install mambo-site-server=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo apt-mark hold mambo-site-server

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

dnf --showduplicates list mambo-site-server sudo dnf downgrade mambo-site-server-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add mambo-site-server

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.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Mambo 4.5.2 - Globals Overwrite / Remote Command Execution

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-2005-3738?

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

Is CVE-2005-3738 being exploited?

CVE-2005-3738 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-2005-3738 affect?

CVE-2005-3738 affects mambo site server. Severity is low (CVSS 2.6). globals.php in Mambo Site Server 4.0.14 and earlier, when register_globals is disabled, allows remote attackers to overwrite variables in the GLOBALS array and conduct various attacks, as demonstrated using the mosConfig_absolute_path param

How urgent is CVE-2005-3738?

Priority 37/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2007-4745 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the AkoBook 3.42 and earlier component (com_akobook) fo
CVE-2003-1203 MEDIUM 4.3 DOWNGRADE Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in index.php for Mambo Site Server 4.0.10 allows remote attackers to
CVE-2002-2290 HIGH 10.0 DOWNGRADE Mambo Site Server 4.0.11 installs with a default username and password of admin, which allows remote attackers
CVE-2002-2247 MEDIUM 5.0 DOWNGRADE The administrator/phpinfo.php script in Mambo Site Server 4.0.11 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive i
CVE-2002-1662 MEDIUM 6.8 DOWNGRADE Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Mambo Site Server 4.0.11 allow remote attackers to exec

References

← Back to latest CVEs