# CVE-2014-8739: jQuery File Upload Plugin Unrestricted file upload vulnerability

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary code by uploading a PHP file via the jQuery File Upload Plugin used in WordPress and Joomla contact forms.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Feb 2020
- **Updated:** 6 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** CVE-2014-7969, GHSA-wxg6-f773-g2f7

## What is CVE-2014-8739?

CVE-2014-8739 is a critical vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Feb 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2014-8739?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including blueimp/jquery-file-upload. It affects 2 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `blueimp/jquery-file-upload` | Packagist | All versions | None |
| `blueimp/jquery-file-upload` | Packagist | All versions | None |

Products: Creative-Solutions Creative Contact Form, Jquery File Upload Project Jquery File Upload.

## How do I fix CVE-2014-8739?

No fix has been published for CVE-2014-8739 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2014-8739 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2014-8739 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Wordpress Creative Contact Form Upload Vulnerability (metasploit)
- WordPress Plugin 0.9.7 / Joomla! Component 2.0.0 Creative Contact Form - Arbitrary File Upload (exploitdb)
- WordPress Plugin Creative Contact Form - Arbitrary File Upload (Metasploit) (exploitdb)
- WordPress Sexy Contact Form (<= 0.9.7) - Arbitrary File Upload (nuclei): http/cves/2014/CVE-2014-8739.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2020-9364](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-9364/): Path traversal in n/a (medium 5.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2014-8739 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2014-8739 is a critical vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Feb 2020. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2014-8739 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- blueimp/jquery-file-upload (Packagist): affected all versions; no fix listed
- blueimp/jquery-file-upload (Packagist): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-8739/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-8739/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2014-8739
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2014-8739
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2014-8739

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2014-8739/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.