CVE-2023-52044 in elFinder
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2024
Studio-42 eLfinder 2.1.62 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) as there is no restriction for uploading files with the .php8 extension.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52044 affects Studio-42 eLfinder version 2.1.62, presenting a critical remote code execution threat that stems from insufficient file type validation during upload operations. This weakness allows attackers to bypass security measures that should prevent the upload of potentially malicious files with specific extensions. The vulnerability specifically targets the .php8 file extension, which represents a significant security flaw in the application's file handling mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization for file upload operations. When users attempt to upload files through the eLfinder interface, the system does not adequately verify the file extensions or content types, enabling unauthorized uploads of PHP files with the .php8 extension. This omission creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target server, as the .php8 extension is typically interpreted by web servers as executable PHP code, similar to traditional .php extensions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected server. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute malicious code remotely, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and full server takeover. The vulnerability affects any environment where eLfinder 2.1.62 is deployed and accessible to unauthenticated users, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where the application handles sensitive data or serves as part of critical infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of eLfinder that addresses this specific issue, implementing strict file type validation and whitelisting policies, and configuring proper access controls to limit upload capabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables remote code execution through web application exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions, file content scanning, and monitoring for suspicious upload activities to detect potential exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface.