CVE-2023-3824: In PHP version 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8, when loading phar file, whil

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CRITICAL 9.4REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2023-3824 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.4) affecting php, fedora, debian linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In PHP version 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8, when loading phar file, while reading PHAR directory entries, insufficient length checking may lead to a stack buffer overflow, leading potentially to memory corruption or RCE.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.4 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	21.8% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2023-08-11
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): PHP Group · Vendor: debian · fedoraproject · php

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-11 06:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:14 UTCUpdated Record last modified

php php UPGRADE

Affected: >= 8.0.0 and < 8.0.30 · >= 8.1.0 and < 8.1.22 · >= 8.2.0 and < 8.2.9

Fixed in: 8.0.30, 8.1.22, 8.2.9

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0.0

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 8.0.30 (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 8.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison php sudo apt install php=<VERSION_BEFORE_8.0.0> 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_8.0.0> 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.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 38

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 38

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.

debian debian linux MITIGATE

Affected: 10.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

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.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora 46 · borgmatic · FIXED · 2.2.0-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-041229e71b · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-041229e71b

Fedora ELN · pie · FIXED · 1.5.4-1.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-a2c0261d3a · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-a2c0261d3a

Ubuntu 20.04 · php7.4 · FIXED · 7.4.3-4ubuntu2.20

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php7.4 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' php7.4)" ge "7.4.3-4ubuntu2.20" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Ubuntu 22.04 · php8.1 · FIXED · 8.1.2-1ubuntu2.14

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php8.1 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' php8.1)" ge "8.1.2-1ubuntu2.14" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

Debian 12 · php8.2 · FIXED · 8.2.18-1~deb12u1

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade php8.2 dpkg --compare-versions "$(dpkg-query -W -f='${Version}' php8.2)" ge "8.2.18-1~deb12u1" && echo PATCHED || echo STILL-VULNERABLE

RHEL 9 · php · FIXED · php-8.0.30-1.el9_2

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=RHSA-2023:5926 rpm -q php

RHEL 6 · php · NOT AFFECTED

RHEL 7 · php · NOT AFFECTED

Amazon Linux 2023 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2023-2023-325 · source

sudo dnf update --advisory=ALAS2023-2023-325

Amazon Linux 2 · see advisory · FIXED · ALAS2-2025-2832 · source

sudo yum update --advisory=ALAS2-2025-2832

Public exploits and detection

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

GitHub PoC: jhonnybonny/CVE-2023-3824 (3 stars)
GitHub PoC: bluefish3r/poc-cve (0 stars)
GitHub PoC: dadosneurais/cve-2023-3824 (0 stars)
Write-up: github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-jqcx-ccgc-xwhv
GitHub PoC: NewLockBit/CVE-2023-3824-PHP-to-RCE
GitHub PoC: NewLockBit/CVE-2023-3824-PHP-to-RCE-LockBit-LEAK

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-2023-3824?

php: upgrade to 8.0.30, 8.1.22, 8.2.9; fedora: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; debian linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-3824 being exploited?

CVE-2023-3824 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-2023-3824 affect?

CVE-2023-3824 affects php, fedora, debian linux. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.4). In PHP version 8.0.* before 8.0.30, 8.1.* before 8.1.22, and 8.2.* before 8.2.8, when loading phar file, while reading PHAR directory entries, insufficient length checking may lead to a stack buffer overflow, leading potentially to memory

How urgent is CVE-2023-3824?

Priority 72/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Debian vulnerabilities

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References

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