The htmlspecialchars function in PHP before 5.2.12 does not properly handle (1) overlong UTF-8 sequences, (2) invalid Shift_JIS sequences, and (3) invalid EUC-JP sequences, which allows remote attackers to conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks by placing a crafted byte sequence before a special character.
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A7085
https://oval.cisecurity.org/repository/search/definition/oval%3Aorg.mitre.oval%3Adef%3A10005
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/3593
http://www.php.net/releases/5_2_12.php
http://www.php.net/ChangeLog-5.php
http://www.debian.org/security/2010/dsa-2001
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4077
http://secunia.com/advisories/40262
http://secunia.com/advisories/38648
http://secunia.com/advisories/37821
http://marc.info/?l=bugtraq&m=127680701405735&w=2
http://lists.apple.com/archives/security-announce/2010//Mar/msg00001.html