Improper Input Handling in Symfony Process Component for Windows Environments

CVE-2026-24739

What is CVE-2026-24739?

CVE-2026-24739 is a vulnerability within the Symfony Process component, a part of the Symfony framework, which is widely used for developing web and console applications in PHP. This particular issue arises from improper input handling on Windows environments prior to certain patched versions. Specifically, it fails to correctly manage certain characters, such as =, during the argument escaping process when PHP is executed in an MSYS2-based environment (like Git Bash). Consequently, when the Symfony Process component spawns native Windows executables, it can pass corrupted or truncated arguments due to improper conversion, leading to unexpected behavior.

The potential negative impact of this vulnerability is significant, primarily when untrusted input can influence command-line arguments. Specifically, if an application invokes sensitive file-management commands along with path arguments containing these characters, it could result in unintended operations being executed—such as file deletions. This situation poses serious risks, especially for environments where user-controlled configurations or paths can interact with Symfony’s process handling. Organizations utilizing affected versions are encouraged to update to the patched releases.

Potential impact of CVE-2026-24739

1. File Management Risks: The improper handling of input could allow attackers or unintended processes to execute file management commands on incorrect paths. This can lead to severe data loss, including the deletion of critical files or entire directories.

2. Exploitation via Untrusted Input: The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in scenarios where untrusted input can impact command-line arguments. This increases the risk of an attacker leveraging this flaw to manipulate processes running under vulnerable setups, potentially leading to broader system compromises.

3. Operational Disruptions: Organizations may face significant disruptions due to unexpected behaviors caused by corrupted arguments. This can interfere with integrations and automated workflows that rely on Symfony Process to execute commands, compromising productivity and operational integrity.

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