# CVE-2019-9194: elFinder - RCE

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2019-9194 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-2019-9194

## 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:** Studio-42 elFinder
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection'))
- **Tags:** web_application

## Description

elFinder before 2.1.48 has a command injection vulnerability in the PHP connector.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2019-9194](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2019-9194) exposes versions prior to 2.1.48 to remote code execution via the PHP connector. This flaw allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 7th of July 2025.

CrowdSec network data shows that most actors exploiting CVE-2019-9194 rely on broad, untargeted scans with minimal filtering. The activity is largely automated and opportunistic in nature.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2019-9194 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending POST requests to `/php/connector.minimal.php` with maliciously crafted file uploads, enabling command injection via unsanitized filenames.

## Timeline

- 2019-02-26: CVE Published. CVE-2019-9194 is published to NVD.
- 2025-07-07: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2019-9194 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-07-09: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2019-9194 for the first time.

## References

- https://github.com/Studio-42/elFinder/blob/master/README.md
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46481/
- https://github.com/Studio-42/elFinder/compare/6884c4f...0740028
- https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46539/
- https://github.com/Studio-42/elFinder/releases/tag/2.1.48
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2019/CVE-2019-9194.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2019-9194) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2019-9194. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.