Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-4577 lets an unauthenticated attacker abuse how Windows converts command-line characters for PHP-CGI. On affected Windows Apache deployments, this can expose source code or run attacker-controlled PHP code. CISA KEV status means known exploitation exists, so internet-facing systems need urgent attention.
Executive priority
Treat as an emergency patching item for any public Windows Apache PHP-CGI server. The business risk is direct server compromise, not just information leakage, and known exploitation is documented through CISA KEV.
Technical view
Affected PHP 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3 releases before 8.1.29, 8.2.20, and 8.3.8 can misinterpret Windows “Best-Fit” character conversion as PHP-CGI options when used with Apache on Windows and certain code pages. The issue is CWE-78 argument injection with CVSS 9.8.
Likely exposure
Most exposed assets are Windows web servers running Apache with PHP-CGI on affected PHP 8.x branches, especially public-facing systems. Evidence in the bundle limits the affected configuration to Windows, Apache, PHP-CGI, and certain code pages; other PHP deployment modes are not established here.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status supports that this vulnerability has been exploited in the wild. Public research, proof-of-concept repositories, and a Metasploit pull request also indicate broad public knowledge and weaponization pressure. This combination raises urgency for exposed Windows PHP-CGI deployments.
Researcher notes
Validation should focus on deployment mode, operating system, PHP branch, fixed version level, and code page context. The bundle supports source disclosure and arbitrary PHP execution risk, but does not justify expanding scope beyond the stated Windows Apache PHP-CGI conditions.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade PHP to 8.1.29, 8.2.20, 8.3.8, or later as applicable.
- Prioritize internet-facing Windows Apache PHP-CGI systems for emergency remediation.
- Review PHP and vendor advisories before relying on temporary workarounds.
- Restrict external access to affected services until patched where business allows.
- Monitor web server and PHP logs for suspicious CGI option-like request patterns.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Windows servers running Apache with PHP-CGI and PHP 8.1, 8.2, or 8.3.
- Confirm installed PHP versions are at or above the fixed releases.
- Check whether systems use code pages implicated by vendor or researcher guidance.
- Verify internet exposure through asset management and external attack surface records.
- Review CISA KEV status and internal telemetry for evidence of targeting.
Public sources used
Michael Williams reviewed this cited source version on .
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-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. 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-2024-4577 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
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- Yes
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
CISA KEV status
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/php/php-src/security/advisories/GHSA-3qgc-jrrr-25jvCVE reference
- https://blog.orange.tw/2024/06/cve-2024-4577-yet-another-php-rce.htmlCVE reference
- https://devco.re/blog/2024/06/06/security-alert-cve-2024-4577-php-cgi-argument-injection-vulnerability-en/CVE reference
- https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/06/php-vulnerability-allows-attackers-to-run-malicious-code-on-windows-servers/CVE reference
- https://www.imperva.com/blog/imperva-protects-against-critical-php-vulnerability-cve-2024-4577/CVE reference
- https://github.com/11whoami99/CVE-2024-4577CVE reference
- https://github.com/xcanwin/CVE-2024-4577-PHP-RCECVE reference
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/pull/19247CVE reference
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/no-way-php-strikes-again-cve-2024-4577/CVE reference
- https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/CVE-2024-4577CVE reference
- https://www.php.net/ChangeLog-8.php#8.1.29CVE reference
- https://cert.be/en/advisory/warning-php-remote-code-execution-patch-immediatelyCVE reference
- https://isc.sans.edu/diary/30994CVE reference
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/PKGTQUOA2NTZ3RXN22CSAUJPIRUYRB4B/CVE reference
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/W45DBOH56NQDRTOM2DN2LNA2FZIMC3PK/CVE reference
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20240621-0008/CVE reference
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-4577CVE reference · government-resource
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/php-cgi-os-command-injection-vulnerability-cve-2024-4577CVE reference
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/php-cgi-argument-injection-to-rce-cve-2024-4577CVE reference
- https://blog.talosintelligence.com/new-persistent-attacks-japan/CVE reference
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.