# CVE-2011-1938: Memory corruption in n/a

> A stack-based buffer overflow in PHP's socket_connect function allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long UNIX socket pathname.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 31 May 2011
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wxhc-rwm9-xjjx

## What is CVE-2011-1938?

CVE-2011-1938 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Php Php, published on 31 May 2011. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Stack-based buffer overflow in the socket_connect function in ext/sockets/sockets.c in PHP 5.3.3 through 5.3.6 might allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long pathname for a UNIX socket.

Weakness: CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2011-1938?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Php Php.

## How do I fix CVE-2011-1938?

Upgrade to a fixed version.

## Is CVE-2011-1938 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-1938 exists.

Public exploit code:

- PHP 5.3.5 - 'socket_connect()' Local Buffer Overflow (exploitdb)
- PHP 5.3.6 - Local Buffer Overflow (ROP) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in Php Php

- [CVE-2012-2688](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2688/): Integer overflow in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2012-2376](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-2376/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2011-3268](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-3268/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2009-4143](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-4143/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2008-5557](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2008-5557/): Memory corruption in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2011-1938 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2011-1938 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Php Php, published on 31 May 2011. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2011-1938 exists.

Affected product: Php Php. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1938/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1938/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2011-1938
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2011-1938
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2011-1938

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2011-1938/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.