CVE-2004-0594
MediumPublic exploitThe memory_limit functionality in PHP 4.x up to 4.3.7, and 5.x up to 5.0.0RC3, under certain conditions such as when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by triggering a memory_limit abort during execution of the zend_hash_init function…
Published Jul 13, 2004 · Updated Mar 9, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0594, DEBIAN-CVE-2004-0595, DSA-531, DSA-669-1
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2004-0594 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.1 v2) affecting Openpkg, PHP, Converged Communications Server (Avaya) and 5 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 55% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including PHP 0:4.3.2-11.1.ent, PHP 4.3.7, php3 3:3.0.18-23.1woody2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v2
5.1
AV:N/AC:H/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
55%
Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2004-0594 brief as a PDF
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Description
The memory_limit functionality in PHP 4.x up to 4.3.7, and 5.x up to 5.0.0RC3, under certain conditions such as when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by triggering a memory_limit abort during execution of the zend_hash_init function and overwriting a HashTable destructor pointer before the initialization of key data structures is complete.
Affected Products
21 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| OpenpkgOpenpkg | 2.0, 2.1 | n/a |
| PHPPHP | 5.0.0-beta1, 5.0.0-beta2, 5.0.0-beta3, 5.0.0-beta4, 5.0.0-rc1, 5.0.0-rc2 | 4.3.7 |
| Converged Communications ServerAvaya | 2.0 | n/a |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 3.0 | n/a |
| Hp-UxHp | b.11.00, b.11.11, b.11.22, b.11.23 | n/a |
Patched Releases
PHP
0:4.3.2-11.1.ent, 4.3.7
php3
3:3.0.18-23.1woody2
php4
4.1.2-7
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jul 13, 2004
Last updated
Mar 9, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-367 Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition
References
- advisory20040713 Advisory 11/2004: PHP memory_limit remote vulnerability
- advisory20040714 TSSA-2004-013 - php
- advisory20040722 [OpenPKG-SA-2004.034] OpenPKG Security Advisory (php)
- advisorySSRT4777
- advisoryRHSA-2004:392
FAQ
Common Questions.
The memory_limit functionality in PHP 4.x up to 4.3.7, and 5.x up to 5.0.0RC3, under certain conditions such as when register_globals is enabled, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by triggering a memory_limit abort during execution of the zend_hash_init function and overwriting a HashTable destructor p…
Affected: Openpkg versions 2.0, 2.1; PHP versions 5.0.0-beta1, 5.0.0-beta2, 5.0.0-beta3, 5.0.0-beta4, 5.0.0-rc1, 5.0.0-rc2; Converged Communications Server (Avaya) versions 2.0, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including PHP 0:4.3.2-11.1.ent, PHP 4.3.7, php3 3:3.0.18-23.1woody2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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