CVE-2026-60102 in Vfs
Summary
by MITRE • 07/08/2026
Horde Virtual File System (VFS) API before 3.0.1 contains an OS command injection vulnerability in the Horde_Vfs_Smb driver where the _escapeShellCommand() method fails to sanitize command substitution sequences, allowing authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands through user-controlled filenames. Attackers can supply malicious filenames containing unescaped command substitution payloads through operations such as file upload, folder creation, rename, or deletion, which are interpolated into a double-quoted shell context and executed via proc_open() through /bin/sh -c before smbclient runs, resulting in arbitrary command execution on the underlying system.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2026
The Horde Virtual File System (VFS) API vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of file operations within the Horde web application framework. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 3.0.1 and resides within the Horde_Vfs_Smb driver component, which handles file system interactions through SMB protocols. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization in the _escapeShellCommand() method, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to execute malicious commands on the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits command substitution sequences that bypass proper sanitization mechanisms. When users perform operations such as file uploads, folder creation, renaming, or deletion, the system accepts user-controlled filenames without adequate validation. These filenames contain unescaped command substitution payloads that get interpolated into a double-quoted shell context before being executed through proc_open() function calls to /bin/sh -c. The smbclient utility then processes these commands, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the web application process.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-78, which identifies improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The operational impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish backdoors within the affected environment. The authenticated nature of the attack reduces the barrier to exploitation compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where legitimate users interact with the system.
The attack surface encompasses all file operations performed through the SMB driver, including but not limited to user file management activities, automated backup processes, and any application functionality that relies on the VFS API for storage operations. Organizations running affected versions of Horde are at significant risk of complete system compromise, as the vulnerability allows attackers to execute commands with the same privileges as the web server process, potentially enabling lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 3.0.1 or later, which addresses the insufficient input sanitization in the _escapeShellCommand() method. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for all user-controlled data within shell contexts provides defense-in-depth protection. Network segmentation and privilege separation can limit the impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls with rules specifically targeting command injection patterns and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.