Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Responsive FileManager 9.13.4 has a path traversal bypass that can let a remote attacker delete an arbitrary directory through its folder-delete function. The sources do not provide a CVSS score, vendor advisory, or fixed version, so urgency depends on whether this component is installed and reachable.
Executive priority
Prioritize review if Responsive FileManager 9.13.4 is internet-facing or used in administrative workflows. Arbitrary directory deletion can cause service outage or data loss, even though source evidence for active exploitation is absent.
Technical view
The CVE describes arbitrary directory deletion in tecrail Responsive FileManager 9.13.4 via a paths[0] path traversal mitigation bypass in the delete_folder action handled by execute.php. The public record lists an Exploit-DB reference, but CISA KEV is false and the bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to environments running tecrail Responsive FileManager 9.13.4 where execute.php and folder deletion functionality are reachable by remote users. The source bundle does not provide CPEs, deployment paths, or authentication requirements.
Exploitation context
A public Exploit-DB reference exists, which increases validation and abuse risk. However, the provided sources do not show active exploitation, KEV listing, patch status, or real-world targeting.
Researcher notes
The source data is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, CPE, authentication detail, fixed version, or vendor advisory is included. Treat the exploit reference as proof of public technical interest, not as evidence of active exploitation.
Mitigation direction
- Check vendor guidance for a fixed release or official mitigation.
- Remove or disable Responsive FileManager if it is not required.
- Restrict access to file-manager endpoints to trusted authenticated users.
- Limit filesystem permissions for the web process.
- Verify backups for directories reachable by the component.
Validation and detection
- Inventory applications for Responsive FileManager 9.13.4.
- Confirm whether execute.php is externally reachable.
- Review access controls around folder deletion functionality.
- Check logs for unexpected delete_folder requests or directory loss.
- Confirm web process permissions cannot delete sensitive directories.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
File access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2018-20789 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- 45987CVE reference · exploit, x_refsource_EXPLOIT-DB
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.