Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Some PhpFastCache deployments could accidentally expose PHP environment details through a phpinfo() page when the Composer vendor directory is publicly reachable. The vendor says this is uncommon, but exposed configuration data can still help attackers profile systems.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate hygiene issue. Prioritize internet-facing PHP applications and any legacy deployments where vendor directories may be exposed, but do not treat it as confirmed exploited based on the supplied sources.
Technical view
CVE-2021-37704 is a CWE-200 information exposure issue in phpfastcache. Versions before 6.1.5, 7.1.2, and 8.0.7 may expose phpinfo() if /vendor is not protected from public access. The published CVSS v3.1 score is 5.4.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to PHP applications using affected phpfastcache v6, v7, or v8 ranges and deploying /vendor where it is web-accessible. The advisory states this is rare today. Versions v4 and v5 are unsupported and are not patched.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not report active exploitation, and KEV status is false. The issue is primarily configuration-dependent: package version matters, but public reachability of /vendor is the deciding exposure condition.
Researcher notes
Focus analysis on deployment layout and package version. The advisory frames exposure as rare and dependent on unprotected /vendor access. No source in the bundle establishes exploitation in the wild or broader affected products beyond phpfastcache.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade phpfastcache to 6.1.5, 7.1.2, 8.0.7, or later supported versions.
- Block public web access to the Composer /vendor directory.
- Move /vendor outside the public web root where possible.
- Replace unsupported v4 or v5 deployments with a supported release line.
- Check vendor advisories before relying on compensating controls alone.
Validation and detection
- Inventory composer.lock for phpfastcache/phpfastcache and confirm installed versions.
- Review web server rules to ensure /vendor is denied publicly.
- Confirm applications do not publish Composer vendor files from the web root.
- Identify unsupported v4 or v5 usage for replacement planning.
- Record whether remediation is version upgrade, path isolation, or access control.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup
Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-37704 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.4 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L2.82.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.4MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/security/advisories/GHSA-cvh5-p6r6-g2qcCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/flextype/flextype/issues/567CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/pull/813CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/pull/814CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/pull/815CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/commit/41a77d0d8f126dbd6fbedcd9e6a82e86cdaafa51CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/PHPSocialNetwork/phpfastcache/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md#807CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://packagist.org/packages/phpfastcache/phpfastcacheCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.