# CVE-2012-10033: Narcissus backend.php Image Configuration Command Injection

> Attackers can execute arbitrary system commands via unsanitized input in Narcissus backend.php, leading to remote code execution.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.3 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 5 Aug 2025
- **Updated:** 28 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gg99-vr5h-p3xf

## What is CVE-2012-10033?

CVE-2012-10033 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Ångström Distribution Project Narcissus, published on 5 Aug 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Narcissus is vulnerable to remote code execution via improper input handling in its image configuration workflow. Specifically, the backend.php script fails to sanitize the release parameter before passing it to the configure_image() function. This function invokes PHP’s passthru() with the unsanitized input, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary system commands. Exploitation occurs via a crafted POST request, resulting in command execution under the web server’s context.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2012-10033?


## How do I fix CVE-2012-10033?

No fix has been published for CVE-2012-10033 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2012-10033 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2012-10033 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Narcissus Image Configuration Passthru Vulnerability (metasploit)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2012-10033 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2012-10033 is a critical command injection vulnerability in Ångström Distribution Project Narcissus, published on 5 Aug 2025. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2012-10033 exists.

Affected product: Ångström Distribution Project Narcissus. 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-2012-10033/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-10033/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2012-10033
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2012-10033
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2012-10033

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2012-10033/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.