CVE-2009-0442: Directory traversal vulnerability in bbcode.php in PHPbbBook 1.3 and 1.3h allows remote attackers to include a

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MEDIUM 6.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-0442 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting phpbbbook. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in bbcode.php in PHPbbBook 1.3 and 1.3h allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the l parameter.

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	6.8 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	4.8% (top 8%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2009-02-10
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: phpbbbook

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-02-10 07:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

phpbbbook phpbbbook DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.3 · 1.3h

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.3

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpbbbook sudo apt install phpbbbook=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo apt-mark hold phpbbbook

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

dnf --showduplicates list phpbbbook sudo dnf downgrade phpbbbook-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.3> sudo dnf versionlock add phpbbbook

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: PHPbbBook 1.3 - 'bbcode.php?l' Local File Inclusion

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-2009-0442?

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

Is CVE-2009-0442 being exploited?

CVE-2009-0442 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-2009-0442 affect?

CVE-2009-0442 affects phpbbbook. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). Directory traversal vulnerability in bbcode.php in PHPbbBook 1.3 and 1.3h allows remote attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files via a .. (dot dot) in the l parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2009-0442?

Priority 52/100. EPSS top 8%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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