CVE-2026-116044 in TinyFileManager
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2026
A security vulnerability has been detected in prasathmani TinyFileManager up to 2.6. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file tinyfilemanager.php of the component Remote URL File Upload Module. The manipulation leads to unrestricted upload. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed publicly and may be used. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2026
The vulnerability identified in TinyFileManager, specifically within versions up to 2.6, represents a critical failure in input validation and access control mechanisms inherent to the Remote URL File Upload Module. This component is designed to allow users to upload files by providing a remote URL from which the server fetches content. However, the underlying implementation fails to adequately sanitize or validate the source of these uploads, leading to an unrestricted file upload condition. The core technical flaw lies in how the application processes URLs provided for fetching external resources without verifying that the resulting data is safe, expected, or confined to intended directories and file types. This lack of rigorous validation allows attackers to bypass standard security controls that typically restrict executable content or sensitive system files from being written to web-accessible locations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes the ability to upload unrestricted file types, and CWE-79, regarding improper neutralization of input during web page generation if reflected output is involved in subsequent processing steps that lead to code execution. The absence of strict allow-listing for file extensions or content-type verification means that an attacker can craft a request where the remote URL points to a malicious script, such as a PHP shell or other server-side executable payload. When TinyFileManager processes this request, it downloads the content and saves it directly into its directory structure without performing sufficient checks on the nature of the downloaded file. This behavior effectively turns the application into an open proxy for delivering web shells or malware onto the target infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its remote exploitability. An attacker does not need authentication if the upload feature is publicly accessible, nor can they be easily mitigated by network-level controls alone since the traffic appears as legitimate HTTP requests fetching external content. Once a malicious file is uploaded and stored in a web-accessible directory, it provides an immediate foothold for further exploitation. This typically leads to remote code execution (RCE), allowing the attacker to take full control of the underlying server environment. The consequences can include data exfiltration, defacement, lateral movement within the network, or the establishment of persistent backdoors that are difficult to detect without comprehensive endpoint monitoring and file integrity checking mechanisms.
The fact that public exploits for this vulnerability have been disclosed significantly increases the risk landscape. Automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers frequently leverage known exploit code to compromise vulnerable instances at scale. The vendor's lack of response to early disclosure attempts suggests a potential gap in their security maintenance practices, leaving users with limited options other than manual remediation or migration. Without an official patch, administrators must rely on compensating controls to mitigate the risk until they can upgrade to a secure version or replace the software entirely.
To address this vulnerability and reduce exposure, immediate mitigation strategies should focus on restricting access to the TinyFileManager interface through strong authentication mechanisms if it is not already implemented. Network-level restrictions such as IP whitelisting can limit who can interact with the upload functionality. Additionally, implementing strict file type validation at a reverse proxy or web application firewall level before requests reach the application can help block attempts to upload executable scripts. It is also critical to ensure that the directories where files are stored do not have execute permissions for web server processes and users. Ultimately, given the severity of unrestricted uploads leading to RCE, upgrading to a patched version as soon as one becomes available or migrating away from this specific component in favor of more rigorously maintained file management solutions is strongly recommended to ensure long-term security posture integrity.