CVE-2013-7345: The BEGIN regular expression in the awk script detector in magic/Magdir/commands in file before 5.15 uses mult

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MEDIUM 5.0WATCHLISTUPGRADEUPGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2013-7345 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting file, php, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The BEGIN regular expression in the awk script detector in magic/Magdir/commands in file before 5.15 uses multiple wildcards with unlimited repetitions, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a crafted ASCII file that triggers a large amount of backtracking, as demonstrated via a file with many newline characters.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2014-03-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: christos zoulas · debian · php

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-03-24 16:31 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:01 UTCUpdated Record last modified

christos zoulas file UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.15

Fixed in: 5.15

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.15 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade file

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade file

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.4.0 and < 5.4.27 · >= 5.5.0 and < 5.5.11

Fixed in: 5.4.27, 5.5.11

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.4.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 5.4.27 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade php

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.4.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.4.0> sudo apt-mark hold php

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list php sudo dnf downgrade php-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.4.0> sudo dnf versionlock add php

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 6.0 · 7.0 · 8.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

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-2013-7345?

file: upgrade to 5.15; php: upgrade to 5.4.27, 5.5.11; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2013-7345 being exploited?

CVE-2013-7345 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-2013-7345 affect?

CVE-2013-7345 affects file, php, debian linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). The BEGIN regular expression in the awk script detector in magic/Magdir/commands in file before 5.15 uses multiple wildcards with unlimited repetitions, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption)

How urgent is CVE-2013-7345?

Priority 49/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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