Elfinder
CVE-2021-23394
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2025 - Insecure Design
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling File type validation, storage isolation
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Command and Control, Persistence The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could upload malicious files that can be executed on the server by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. |
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Alert meAnalysisAI
The package studio-42/elfinder before 2.1.58 are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via execution of PHP code in a .phar file. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Validate file types server-side, store uploads outside webroot, use random filenames, scan for malware.
Affected Packages
Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)
Affects your stack
Affects 1 package in composer
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Unrestricted File Upload (CWE-434), which allows attackers to upload malicious files that can be executed on the server. The package studio-42/elfinder before 2.1.58 are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via execution of PHP code in a .phar file. NOTE: This only applies if the server parses .phar files as PHP. Affected products include: Std42 Elfinder. Version information: before 2.1.58.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionNVD
The package studio-42/elfinder before 2.1.58 are vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) via execution of PHP code in a .phar file. NOTE: This only applies if the server parses .phar files as PHP.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Malicious file upload attacks exploit insufficient validation when web applications accept user-provided files.
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
Affected Products (CPE)NVD
elFinder is an open-source file manager for web, written in JavaScript using jQuery UI. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.
elFinder before 2.1.48 has a command injection vulnerability in the PHP connector. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), t
In Studio-42 elFinder 2.1.60, there is a vulnerability that causes remote code execution through file name bypass for fi
connector.minimal.php in std42 elFinder through 2.1.60 is affected by path traversal. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1)
SSRF protection bypass in elFinder's URL upload feature allows remote attackers to reach internal HTTP services by explo
Remote code execution in elFinder prior to 2.1.70 allows an authenticated user with ZIP upload permission to bypass the
_joinPath in elFinderVolumeLocalFileSystem.class.php in elFinder before 2.1.62 allows path traversal in the PHP LocalVol
Studio 42 elFinder 2.1.64 is vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerabil
CSRF protection is absent for the netmount command in elFinder prior to 2.1.70, allowing a cross-site request from an at
Studio 42 elFinder before 2.1.37 has a directory traversal vulnerability in elFinder.class.php with the zipdl() function
Studio 42 elFinder before 2.1.36 has a directory traversal vulnerability in elFinder.class.php with the zipdl() function
Command injection in elFinder before 2.1.67 lets attackers reach OS command execution as the web server user through the
Exploit-DB