CVE-2015-8617

CRITICAL

PHP 7.x < 7.0.1 - Remote Code Execution via Format String Specifiers in Class Name

Title source: manual
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2015-8617. PoCs published by Andrew Kramer.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a format string vulnerability in PHP 7.0.0, allowing arbitrary memory writes via crafted class names. The PoC includes a write-what-where primitive, though full RCE is theorized but not fully implemented.

Description

Format string vulnerability in the zend_throw_or_error function in Zend/zend_execute_API.c in PHP 7.x before 7.0.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a string that is misused as a class name, leading to incorrect error handling.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Andrew Kramer · textdosmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/39082

This exploit demonstrates a format string vulnerability in PHP 7.0.0, allowing arbitrary memory writes via crafted class names. The PoC includes a write-what-where primitive, though full RCE is theorized but not fully implemented.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: PHP 7.0.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: PHP 7.0.0 installation · Ability to execute arbitrary PHP code
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (4)

Core 4
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1034543
Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
http://php.net/ChangeLog-7.php
Exploit x_refsource_confirm
https://bugs.php.net/bug.php?id=71105

Scores

CVSS v3 9.8
EPSS 0.2188
EPSS Percentile 95.9%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Details

CWE
CWE-134
Status published
Products (1)
php/php 7.0.1
Published Jan 19, 2016
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026