CVE-2008-3573

PHP-Nuke and Pligg - CAPTCHA Bypass via ts_random Value

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2008-3573. PoCs published by Micheal Brooks.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit bypasses Pligg's user registration security by generating a predictable registration code. It leverages weak randomness in the code generation process, allowing automated user registration.

Description

The CAPTCHA implementation in (1) Pligg 9.9.5 and possibly (2) Francisco Burzi PHP-Nuke 8.1 provides a critical random number (the ts_random value) within the URL in the SRC attribute of an IMG element, which allows remote attackers to pass the CAPTCHA test via a calculation that combines this value with the current date and the HTTP User-Agent string.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Micheal Brooks · phpwebappsphp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/32142

This exploit bypasses Pligg's user registration security by generating a predictable registration code. It leverages weak randomness in the code generation process, allowing automated user registration.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Pligg 9.9.5
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the target Pligg registration endpoint
MITRE ATT&CK
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (3)

Core 3
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/44192
Exploit x_refsource_misc
http://www.rooksecurity.com/blog/?p=17
Exploit vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/30518

Scores

EPSS 0.0195
EPSS Percentile 77.6%

Details

CWE
CWE-189 CWE-264
Status published
Products (2)
php-nuke/php-nuke 8.1
pligg/pligg 9.9.5
Published Aug 10, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026