# CVE-2018-9109: elFinder Path Traversal vulnerability

> Remote attackers can exploit a directory traversal flaw in elFinder to read and delete files accessible by the web server process.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 28 Mar 2018
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-45x3-mw7q-wf7f

## What is CVE-2018-9109?

CVE-2018-9109 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 28 Mar 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Studio 42 elFinder before 2.1.36 has a directory traversal vulnerability in elFinder.class.php with the zipdl() function that can allow a remote attacker to download files accessible by the web server process and delete files owned by the account running the web server process.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-9109?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including studio-42/elfinder. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `studio-42/elfinder` | Packagist | All versions | 2.1.36 |
| `studio-42/elfinder` | Packagist | All versions | 2.1.36 |

Products: Std42 Elfinder.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-9109?

Upgrade studio-42/elfinder to 2.1.36 or later.

## Is CVE-2018-9109 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-9109 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2023-52044](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-52044/): File upload in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2024-38909](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-38909/): Studio 42 elFinder vulnerable to Incorrect Access Control (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-27115](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-27115/): RCE in Studio-42 elFinder on Windows before 2.1.61 (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-43421](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-43421/): elFinder Unrestricted File Upload vulnerability (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-32682](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-32682/): Multiple vulnerabilities leading to RCE (critical 9.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-9109 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-9109 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in n/a, published on 28 Mar 2018. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-9109 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- studio-42/elfinder (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.36
- studio-42/elfinder (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 2.1.36

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-2018-9109/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-9109/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-9109
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-9109
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-9109

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-9109/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.