critical CVSS 9.8

CVE-2026-25236·PHP vulnerability

PEAR is a framework and distribution system for reusable PHP components. Prior to version 1.33.0, a SQL injection risk exists in karma queries due to unsafe literal substitution for an IN (...) list. This issue has been patched in version 1.33.0.

Severity
critical
Software
PHP
Fixed in
1.33.0
Published
2026-02-03

Affected versions

Until: 1.33.0

Fixed in: 1.33.0

How to fix this CVE

Update PHP and the PEAR framework to version 1.33.0 or later to patch a critical SQL injection vulnerability in karma query processing. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands through malformed IN clause parameters. Apply updates immediately across all affected systems.

sudo dnf update php php-pear

Defensia detects this vulnerability

What an exploitation attempt looks like

Sample log line indicative of exploitation attempts:

POST|GET request parameters containing SQL metacharacters (UNION, SELECT, OR) in values passed to karma-related endpoints; SQL error messages in application logs mentioning 'IN (' clause syntax errors; database error logs showing unexpected query syntax from web application queries

WAF mitigation (if patching is not yet possible)

Add this rule to your WAF to block exploitation attempts while you schedule the patch. 

Implement WAF rules to block requests containing UNION-based SQL injection patterns in query parameters; monitor for multiple sequential SQL error responses from the same client IP; enforce strict input validation on all parameters used in IN clause construction; consider rate-limiting requests to karma-related endpoints

How to check if you are affected

  1. Step 1: Check installed PHP version with: php -v
  2. Step 2: Check PEAR version with: pear list | grep -i pear or pear -V
  3. Step 3: Search application logs and web server logs for SQL error messages containing 'IN (' followed by unusual characters or UNION/SELECT keywords: grep -r 'IN.*UNION\|IN.*SELECT' /var/log/
  4. Step 4: Verify the patch by confirming PHP version matches 1.33.0+ and running: pear list to confirm updated packages

FAQ

What is CVE-2026-25236?

CVE-2026-25236 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in PHP's PEAR framework that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries by exploiting unsafe parameter handling in karma database queries. The vulnerability stems from improper literal substitution when building IN clause lists.

Is CVE-2026-25236 being actively exploited?

No, this vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA KEV catalog and no public exploits have been disclosed, but the critical CVSS 9.8 score and remote exploitability warrant immediate patching.

What versions of PHP are affected by CVE-2026-25236?

All versions of PHP with PEAR framework prior to version 1.33.0 are affected. The exact affected version range has not been precisely documented, but upgrading to 1.33.0 or later resolves the issue.

How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2026-25236?

Run: pear -V or check the PEAR package list with pear list to see the installed version. If it is below 1.33.0, your system is vulnerable. Additionally check php -v to ensure PHP itself is up to date.

Does Defensia detect CVE-2026-25236?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If PHP is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2026-25236 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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