# CVE-2026-23698: Vtiger CRM 8.4.0 Authenticated RCE via Module Import File Upload

> Administrators can upload malicious PHP files via module import to achieve remote code execution and install persistent web shells.

- **Severity:** High 8.6 (`CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Jul 2026
- **Updated:** 14 Jul 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-jf2j-jhvf-rc56

## What is CVE-2026-23698?

CVE-2026-23698 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vtiger CRM, published on 7 Jul 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Vtiger CRM through 8.4.0 contains an authenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the admin module import feature that allows administrator-level attackers to upload arbitrary PHP files by submitting a crafted zip archive through the ModuleManager import function, which extracts contents directly into the modules/ directory under the web root without validating file types beyond the manifest.xml descriptor. Attackers can place executable PHP files in the modules/ directory that become directly accessible via HTTP, bypassing Vtiger's authentication and authorization layer entirely since Apache resolves the path and invokes the PHP interpreter before the application routing layer is involved, resulting in a persistent web shell independent of the originating session.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-23698?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-23698?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-23698 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-23698 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-23698 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Vtiger CRM 8.3.0, 8.4.0 Module Import Authenticated RCE PoC (github_poc): https://github.com/JivaSecurity/VTIGER-CRM-RCE-CVE-2026-23698

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-23698 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-23698 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vtiger CRM, published on 7 Jul 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-23698 exists.

Affected product: Vtiger CRM. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2026-23698/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-23698/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23698
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23698
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-23698

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-23698/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.