# CVE-2014-8739: jQuery File Upload Plugin - RCE

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2014-8739 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2014-8739

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Background Noise. Continuous low-level scanning or exploitation attempts are observed, mostly opportunistic and automated.
- **CVSS score:** 9.8
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** jQuery File Upload Plugin
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)
- **Tags:** wordpress

## Description

Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in server/php/UploadHandler.php in the jQuery File Upload Plugin 6.4.4 for jQuery, as used in the Creative Solutions Creative Contact Form (formerly Sexy Contact Form) before 1.0.0 for WordPress and before 2.0.1 for Joomla!, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a PHP file with an PHP extension, then accessing it via a direct request to the file in files/, as exploited in the wild in October 2014.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2014-8739](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2014-8739) is a critical unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the jQuery File Upload Plugin 6.4.4, as used in Creative Contact Form for WordPress and Joomla!. This flaw allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code by simply uploading a malicious file, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access and control over affected servers.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 24th of September 2025.

According to CrowdSec data, while opportunistic exploitation dominates, a portion of threat actors trying to exploit CVE-2014-8739 apply basic targeting methods such as port or service detection. This indicates emerging patterns of selective targeting.
Additionally, according to week-over-week analysis by CrowdSec, exploitation of CVE-2014-8739 is surging. Attack volumes are spiking well above historical norms, indicating widespread and escalating interest from threat actors. CVE-2014-8739 is currently experiencing high visibility and active exploitation across the internet.

Attackers exploit the file upload functionality at `/wp-content/plugins/sexy-contact-form/includes/fileupload/index.php` to upload malicious PHP files, which are then accessed directly via the `/wp-content/plugins/sexy-contact-form/includes/fileupload/files/` directory to achieve remote code execution.

## Timeline

- 2020-02-08: CVE Published. CVE-2014-8739 is published to NVD.
- 2025-09-24: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2014-8739 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-09-25: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2014-8739 for the first time.

## References

- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/11/4
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/sexy-contact-form/changelog/
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/13/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2014/11/11/5
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2014/CVE-2014-8739.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2014-8739) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2014-8739. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.