CVE-2008-3573: The CAPTCHA implementation in (1) Pligg 9.9.5 and possibly (2) Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 8.1 provides a critica

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2008-3573 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting php-nuke, pligg. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The CAPTCHA implementation in (1) Pligg 9.9.5 and possibly (2) Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 8.1 provides a critical random number (the ts_random value) within the URL in the SRC attribute of an IMG element, which allows remote attackers to pass the CAPTCHA test via a calculation that combines this value with the current date and the HTTP User-Agent string.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	1.9% (top 20%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-189, CWE-264
Published	2008-08-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: php-nuke · pligg

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2008-08-10 20:41 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:56 UTCUpdated Record last modified

php-nuke php-nuke DOWNGRADE

Affected: 8.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.1

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 8.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php-nuke sudo apt install php-nuke=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.1> sudo apt-mark hold php-nuke

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

dnf --showduplicates list php-nuke sudo dnf downgrade php-nuke-<VERSION_BEFORE_8.1> sudo dnf versionlock add php-nuke

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.

pligg pligg DOWNGRADE

Affected: 9.9.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 9.9.5

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 9.9.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pligg sudo apt install pligg=<VERSION_BEFORE_9.9.5> sudo apt-mark hold pligg

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

dnf --showduplicates list pligg sudo dnf downgrade pligg-<VERSION_BEFORE_9.9.5> sudo dnf versionlock add pligg

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: Pligg CMS 9.9.5 - 'CAPTCHA' Registration Automation Security Bypass

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-2008-3573?

php-nuke: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; pligg: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2008-3573 being exploited?

CVE-2008-3573 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-2008-3573 affect?

CVE-2008-3573 affects php-nuke, pligg. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The CAPTCHA implementation in (1) Pligg 9.9.5 and possibly (2) Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 8.1 provides a critical random number (the ts_random value) within the URL in the SRC attribute of an IMG element, which allows remote attackers to pass

How urgent is CVE-2008-3573?

Priority 43/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

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References

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