External risk intelligence

Responsive Filemanager Upload Restriction Bypass Leads to Remote Code Execution

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2022-44276

Responsive Filemanager is designed as a web-based file management component often integrated directly into web applications. As a file management interface, it is commonly accessible via web browsers, and its functionality requires exposure to users to perform file operations, making it a likely candidate for public or authenticated internet-facing access in typical deployments.

Unrestricted File Upload

Tecrail Responsive Filemanager

before 9.12.0

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This vulnerability affects Responsive Filemanager, a file management component integrated into web applications. It allows an unauthenticated attacker to bypass upload restrictions, potentially leading to remote code execution. The primary concern is confirming if this specific technology is in use and exposed to the internet, as its nature makes it a likely candidate for such access.

Bypasses file upload rules for code execution.
Critical risk if the affected file manager is exposed.
Confirm use and exposure to assess business risk.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker can bypass upload restrictions in Responsive Filemanager, potentially leading to remote code execution. This occurs when the file manager component, often integrated into web applications and accessible via a browser, has its upload limitations circumvented.

Unauthenticated network access required.
Bypass upload restrictions on the file manager.
Remote code execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A critical vulnerability exists in Responsive Filemanager that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to bypass upload restrictions and achieve remote code execution. This means an attacker could potentially upload and execute arbitrary code on the server, impacting the integrity and availability of the application and its hosted data.

Server-side code execution is at risk.
Attackers can bypass upload restrictions.
Complete server compromise is possible.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Application owners and infrastructure teams are likely responsible for addressing this critical vulnerability in Responsive Filemanager. The first practical move is to identify all instances of this software, determine their internet-facing exposure and business criticality, and then confirm the accountable owner for each instance to prioritize remediation efforts.

Identify responsible application owners.
Verify internet-facing exposure and criticality.
Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Responsive Filemanager?

Responsive Filemanager is a web-based component that developers integrate into applications to provide users with a graphical interface for managing files. It typically handles tasks like uploading, organizing, and selecting images or documents directly within a web browser, functioning as a helper tool embedded into larger websites or content management systems.

What does CWE-434 mean for CVE-2022-44276?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-434, or Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. It means the software fails to properly validate files before saving them to the server. In this specific case, an attacker can bypass the intended restrictions to upload malicious files, allowing them to execute unauthorized code on the underlying server.

How does an attacker trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers this flaw by interacting with the file upload feature of the manager without needing to authenticate. The vulnerability is exploited by sending a specially crafted request that circumvents the application's file type checks. Simply visiting the application or viewing files does not trigger the bug; the attacker must successfully initiate an upload request that bypasses the restrictive filters.

Is my system at risk if it uses Responsive Filemanager?

Your risk depends on how the software is deployed. Halo Surface Signal notes that because this component is designed for user-facing file operations, it is frequently accessible via the internet. If your instance is reachable from a public network, it faces a higher likelihood of being targeted compared to one restricted to internal, private networks.

What steps should I take to address this?

First, locate every instance of Responsive Filemanager in your environment and determine who manages them. Once you have an inventory, verify which instances are accessible to the public versus those kept internal. Use this information to prioritize updates or access controls, ensuring that the most exposed systems are addressed first by your team.

References

github.com/HerrLeStrate/CVE-2022-44276-PoC

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.