CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-52904NVD status: Modified

filebrowser: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-52904 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in filebrowser, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected filebrowser versions: >= 2.0.0, < 2.33.8. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.11% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 66% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of filebrowser you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Filebrowserfilebrowser>= 2.0.0, < 2.33.8Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
Privileges required
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

File Browser provides a file managing interface within a specified directory and it can be used to upload, delete, preview, rename and edit files. In versions of the web application on the 2.x branch, all users have a scope assigned, and they only have access to the files within that scope. The Command Execution feature of Filebrowser allows the execution of shell commands which are not restricted to the scope, potentially giving an attacker read and write access to all files managed by the server. Until this issue is fixed, the maintainers recommend to completely disable `Execute commands` for all accounts. Since the command execution is an inherently dangerous feature that is not used by all deployments, it should be possible to completely disable it in the application's configuration. This feature has been disabled by default for all installations from v2.33.8 onwards, including for existent installations. To exploit this vulnerability, the instance administrator must turn on a feature and ignore all the warnings about known vulnerabilities.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command

The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
  • If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
  • Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.

More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in filebrowser

All filebrowser vulnerabilities

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities

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