CVE-2009-4023: Argument injection vulnerability in the sendmail implementation of the Mail::Send method (Mail/sendmail.php) i

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HIGH 7.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2009-4023 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.5) affecting pear. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Argument injection vulnerability in the sendmail implementation of the Mail::Send method (Mail/sendmail.php) in the Mail package 1.1.14 for PEAR allows remote attackers to read and write arbitrary files via a crafted $from parameter, a different vector than CVE-2009-4111.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

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

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.5 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	2.4% (top 16%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-94
Published	2009-11-29
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: pear

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2009-11-29 13:07 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 23:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

pear pear DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.1.14

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1.14

1. Check installed version

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

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1.14 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison pear sudo apt install pear=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1.14> sudo apt-mark hold pear

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

dnf --showduplicates list pear sudo dnf downgrade pear-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1.14> sudo dnf versionlock add pear

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-2009-4023?

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

Is CVE-2009-4023 being exploited?

CVE-2009-4023 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-2009-4023 affect?

CVE-2009-4023 affects pear. Severity is high (CVSS 7.5). Argument injection vulnerability in the sendmail implementation of the Mail::Send method (Mail/sendmail.php) in the Mail package 1.1.14 for PEAR allows remote attackers to read and write arbitrary files via a crafted $from parameter, a diff

How urgent is CVE-2009-4023?

Priority 52/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

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References

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