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GHSA-fqc7-9xjw-jrh3 CVE-2026-47767

SymfonyRuntime CVE-2024-50340 Patch Bypass: Web Requests Can Still Set APP_ENV/APP_DEBUG via parse_str/SAPI Argv Mismatch

Critical Packagist
Severity
0.0 / 10
Critical · CVSS 4.0
Exploit chance (EPSS)
0.72%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days. Higher than 53.97% of scored vulnerabilities.
Known exploited
No
Not in CISA's catalog
Weakness
CWE-20 Improper Input Validation
CWE-436 Interpretation Conflict
CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Fix
Available
2 packages have a fixed version

Description

Description

CVE-2024-50340 (GHSA-x8vp-gf4q-mw5j) addressed an issue where, with register_argc_argv=On, a crafted query string let an unauthenticated GET change the kernel environment and debug flag by feeding --env/--no-debug through $_SERVER['argv']. The fix shipped in symfony/runtime 5.4.46 / 6.4.14 / 7.1.7 gated the argv read on empty($_GET) as a proxy for "is this a CLI invocation".

That proxy is unsafe: parse_str() (which builds $_GET) and the web SAPI (which builds $_SERVER['argv'] from the raw query when register_argc_argv=On) do not agree on every input, so an attacker can craft a query that leaves $_GET empty while $_SERVER['argv'] carries the attacker's flags. SymfonyRuntime::getInput() then parses them, restoring the exact primitive CVE-2024-50340 was meant to prevent.

Preconditions and impact match the original CVE: web SAPI, register_argc_argv=On, app booted through symfony/runtime; from an unauthenticated GET an attacker can flip APP_ENV and toggle APP_DEBUG.

Resolution

SymfonyRuntime now gates the argv read on isset($_SERVER['QUERY_STRING']) rather than on empty($_GET). QUERY_STRING is the same input the SAPI uses to build argv, so the security check and the thing it protects no longer parse different sources. Worker SAPIs (FrankenPHP / RoadRunner / Swoole) keep working because the runtime constructor runs once at boot when QUERY_STRING is unset.

The patch for this issue is available here for branch 5.4.

Credits

SymfonyRuntime would like to thank 0xEr3n for reporting the issue and Nicolas Grekas for providing the fix.

Affected versions

Packagist

PackageVulnerableFixed in
symfony/runtime
>= 5.4.46, < 5.4.52
5.4.52
symfony/runtime
>= 6.4.14, < 6.4.40
6.4.40
symfony/runtime
>= 7.1.7, < 7.4.12
7.4.12
symfony/runtime
>= 8.0.0, < 8.0.12
8.0.12
symfony/symfony
>= 5.4.46, < 5.4.52
5.4.52
symfony/symfony
>= 6.4.14, < 6.4.40
6.4.40
symfony/symfony
>= 7.1.7, < 7.4.12
7.4.12
symfony/symfony
>= 8.0.0, < 8.0.12
8.0.12

How to fix

Move to the fixed version or later with your package manager, update the lockfile, and run your tests. If the package only arrives through another dependency, upgrade that dependency first. If none of its releases pulls a fixed version yet, force the version with your package manager's override.

symfony/runtime Packagist → 5.4.52

composer
composer require symfony/runtime:^5.4.52

symfony/symfony Packagist → 5.4.52

composer
composer require symfony/symfony:^5.4.52

Severity breakdown

CVSS 4.0 0.0

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Attack requirements
None
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
Low
Integrity (vulnerable system)
Low
Availability (vulnerable system)
Low
Confidentiality (subsequent systems)
None
Integrity (subsequent systems)
None
Availability (subsequent systems)
None

CVSS 3.1 9.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack vector
Network
Attack complexity
Low
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Weakness

CWE-20: Improper Input Validation

The product receives input or data, but it does not validate or incorrectly validates that the input has the properties that are required to process the data safely and correctly.

How to prevent it
  • Architecture and Design: Consider using language-theoretic security (LangSec) techniques that characterize inputs using a formal language and build "recognizers" for that language. This effectively requires parsing to be a distinct layer that effectively enforces a boundary between raw input and internal data representations, instead of allowing parser code to be scattered throughout the program, where it could be subject to errors or inconsistencies that create weaknesses. [REF-1109] [REF-1110] [REF-1111]
  • Architecture and Design: Use an input validation framework such as Struts or the OWASP ESAPI Validation API. Note that using a framework does not automatically address all input validation problems; be mindful of weaknesses that could arise from misusing the framework itself (CWE-1173).
  • Architecture and Design, Implementation: Understand all the potential areas where untrusted inputs can enter the product, including but not limited to: parameters or arguments, cookies, anything read from the network, environment variables, reverse DNS lookups, query results, request headers, URL components, e-mail, files, filenames, databases, and any external systems that provide data to the application. Remember that such inputs may be obtained indirectly through API calls.
  • Implementation: Assume all input is malicious. Use an "accept known good" input validation strategy, i.e., use a list of acceptable inputs that strictly conform to specifications. Reject any input that does not strictly conform to specifications, or transform it into something that does. When performing input validation, consider all potentially relevant properties, including length, type of input, the full range of acceptable values, missing or extra inputs, syntax, consistency across related fields, and conformance to business rules. As an example of business rule logic, "boat" may be syntactically valid because it only contains alphanumeric characters, but it is not valid if the input is only expected to contain colors such as "red" or "blue." Do not rely exclusively on looking for malicious or malformed inputs. This is likely to miss at least one undesirable input, especially if the code's environment changes. This can give attackers enough room to bypass the intended validation. However, denylists can be useful for detecting potential attacks or determining which inputs are so malformed that they should be rejected outright.
  • Architecture and Design: For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server. Even though client-side checks provide minimal benefits with respect to server-side security, they are still useful. First, they can support intrusion detection. If the server receives input that should have been rejected by the client, then it may be an indication of an attack. Second, client-side error-checking can provide helpful feedback to the user about the expectations for valid input. Third, there may be a reduction in server-side processing time for accidental input errors, although this is typically a small savings.
  • Implementation: When your application combines data from multiple sources, perform the validation after the sources have been combined. The individual data elements may pass the validation step but violate the intended restrictions after they have been combined.
  • Implementation: Be especially careful to validate all input when invoking code that crosses language boundaries, such as from an interpreted language to native code. This could create an unexpected interaction between the language boundaries. Ensure that you are not violating any of the expectations of the language with which you are interfacing. For example, even though Java may not be susceptible to buffer overflows, providing a large argument in a call to native code might trigger an overflow.
  • Implementation: Directly convert your input type into the expected data type, such as using a conversion function that translates a string into a number. After converting to the expected data type, ensure that the input's values fall within the expected range of allowable values and that multi-field consistencies are maintained.
  • Implementation: Inputs should be decoded and canonicalized to the application's current internal representation before being validated (CWE-180, CWE-181). Make sure that your application does not inadvertently decode the same input twice (CWE-174). Such errors could be used to bypass allowlist schemes by introducing dangerous inputs after they have been checked. Use libraries such as the OWASP ESAPI Canonicalization control. Consider performing repeated canonicalization until your input does not change any more. This will avoid double-decoding and similar scenarios, but it might inadvertently modify inputs that are allowed to contain properly-encoded dangerous content.
  • Implementation: When exchanging data between components, ensure that both components are using the same character encoding. Ensure that the proper encoding is applied at each interface. Explicitly set the encoding you are using whenever the protocol allows you to do so.

CWE-436: Interpretation Conflict

Product A handles inputs or steps differently than Product B, which causes A to perform incorrect actions based on its perception of B's state.

CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')

The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.

How to prevent it
  • Requirements: Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
  • Implementation: Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.

References

Timeline

  1. Published
  2. Last updated by the source
  3. Latest EPSS score
AdvisorySeverityWhy it's related
GHSA-2v3c-qxhr-7vpv
Symfony: Unbounded Recursion in the YAML Inline Lexer Lets a Single Document Crash the Process
High Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-r925-mgvr-h9cc
Symfony: ReDoS in HeaderUtils::split() Reachable Through the Cache-Control Request Header
High Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-h5x3-xfc9-m39h
Symfony: UrlGenerator Dot-Segment Encoding Skips Every Other Chained `../` or `./` → Generated URL Collapses Off-Route Under RFC 3986 Normalization
Medium Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-v3wm-qf9p-c549
Symfony: HtmlSanitizer URL Parser Deny Gates Underinclusive: Percent-Encoded BiDi Marks and Unicode Whitespace Bypass Visual-Spoofing Defense
Medium Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-rrj9-5q2j-4gvr
Symfony: Mailomat Mailer Webhook Parser Reads the HMAC Algorithm from the Request: Signature Algorithm Downgrade
Medium Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-38cx-cq6f-5755
Symfony: IpUtils::PRIVATE_SUBNETS Omits IPv6 Transition Forms (6to4, NAT64, Teredo, IPv4-compatible): SSRF Bypass in NoPrivateNetworkHttpClient
High Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-6h46-9jf5-q59x
Symfony: Security Firewall Bypass via failure_forward Subrequest: Unauthenticated Access to access_control-Protected GET Routes
High Also affects symfony/symfony
GHSA-x5qj-865h-mgvm
Symfony: HtmlSanitizer UrlAttributeSanitizer Misses URL Attributes
Medium Also affects symfony/symfony
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