Race condition in the symlink function in PHP 5.1.6 and earlier allows local users to bypass the open_basedir restriction by using a combination of symlink, mkdir, and unlink functions to change the file path after the open_basedir check and before the file is opened by the underlying system, as demonstrated by symlinking a symlink into a subdirectory, to point to a parent directory via .. (dot dot) sequences, and then unlinking the resulting symlink.
CVE-2006-5178
- No confirmed exploitation signals yet
No vendor fix yet — apply a workaround or compensating control (WAF / firewall / segmentation) and watch for a patch.
- CVSS v3
- —
- EG Score
- 0.0(none)
- EPSS
- 46.9%
- KEV
- Not listed
Published
October 10, 2006
Last Modified
April 23, 2026
References (30)
- cve@mitrehttp://lists.grok.org.uk/pipermail/full-disclosure/2006-October/049850.html
- cve@mitrehttp://secunia.com/advisories/22235
- cve@mitrehttp://secunia.com/advisories/22424
- cve@mitrehttp://securityreason.com/securityalert/1692
- cve@mitrehttp://securitytracker.com/id?1016977
- cve@mitrehttp://www.hardened-php.net/advisory_082006.132.html
- cve@mitrehttp://www.mandriva.com/security/advisories?name=MDKSA-2006:185
- cve@mitrehttp://www.neosecurityteam.net/index.php?action=advisories&id=26
- cve@mitrehttp://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/447649/100/0/threaded
- cve@mitrehttp://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/448020/100/0/threaded
- cve@mitrehttp://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/448953/100/0/threaded
- cve@mitrehttp://www.securityfocus.com/bid/20326
- cve@mitrehttp://www.turbolinux.com/security/2006/TLSA-2006-38.txt
- cve@mitrehttp://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2006/3901
- cve@mitrehttps://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/29340
Weakness Classification(1)
MITRE Common Weakness Enumeration — the root-cause categories this CVE belongs to.
Data Freshness Timeline
(refreshed 4× in last 7d / 36× in last 30d)
Each row is a source pipeline that fetched or updated this CVE on that date, with what changed. For example, "NVD update" means NVD published or revised its analysis for this CVE; "MITRE cvelistV5" means we ingested or refreshed it from the CNA feed. Most recent first.
- 2026-07-08 15:09 UTCEPSS rescore
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- 2026-05-31 06:27 UTCEG score recompute
- 2026-05-31 06:27 UTCGHSA enrichment
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- 2026-05-18 21:29 UTCEPSS rescore
- 2026-05-18 21:29 UTCEPSS rescore
Publicly available exploits
(1 reference)Working exploit code is in the public domain (1 Exploit-DB entry). Defenders should treat patch urgency accordingly — public PoCs typically lead to mass-exploitation within 24-72 hours.
- Exploit-DBEDB-10557✓ verifiedFirst seen Dec 19, 2009
PHP 5.2.12/5.3.1 - 'symlink()' open_basedir Bypass
Open source ↗
Related CVEs(same CWE)
Frequently asked(4)
What is CVE-2006-5178?
When was CVE-2006-5178 disclosed?
Is CVE-2006-5178 actively exploited?
How do I remediate CVE-2006-5178?
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