Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
phpFileManager 1.7.8 has a file-reading flaw that can expose sensitive server files to unauthenticated attackers. The sources identify public exploit information, but do not show confirmed active exploitation or a vendor patch. Organizations using this older PHP file manager should treat internet exposure as a meaningful data-disclosure risk.
Executive priority
Prioritize if phpFileManager 1.7.8 is internet-facing or stores access to sensitive systems. The issue can disclose server files without authentication, but current sources do not prove active exploitation or a confirmed patch path. Treat as a near-term exposure-reduction task, not a confirmed breach indicator by itself.
Technical view
CVE-2019-25632 is a local file inclusion issue in phpFileManager 1.7.8 through index.php parameter handling. The advisory says unauthenticated attackers can manipulate action, fm_current_dir, and filename values to read arbitrary files. Impact is confidentiality-focused; integrity and availability impact are not indicated in the supplied CVSS vector.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where phpFileManager 1.7.8 is installed on a reachable web server, especially internet-facing systems. The product is hosted on SourceForge, but the provided sources do not describe affected forks, packaged distributions, or later versions.
Exploitation context
A public ExploitDB reference exists, so proof-of-concept knowledge is publicly available. The source bundle says the CVE is not in KEV, and no cited source confirms active exploitation. The practical attacker goal is reading sensitive local files, not code execution, based on the provided evidence.
Researcher notes
The supplied CVSS v4 vector lists local attack vector, while the description discusses crafted GET requests to index.php. Preserve that inconsistency in triage notes and validate actual deployment reachability. Do not assume affected versions beyond 1.7.8 or remediation details not present in the cited sources.
Mitigation direction
- Identify any phpFileManager 1.7.8 deployments, especially internet-facing instances.
- Check vendor or project guidance for fixed versions or official remediation.
- Remove or disable unused phpFileManager installations.
- Restrict access to trusted administrators until remediation is confirmed.
- Review web server exposure and authentication controls around phpFileManager.
Validation and detection
- Inventory web roots and asset records for phpFileManager 1.7.8.
- Confirm whether index.php for phpFileManager is reachable externally.
- Review access logs for unusual requests involving action, fm_current_dir, or filename parameters.
- Check whether sensitive-file access attempts occurred before containment.
- Document version evidence and remediation status for each affected host.
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.
CWE-306: Credential and account abuse lookup
Authentication and credential weaknesses can make valid-account abuse and credential telemetry useful review starting points. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-25632 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.9 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
6.9MediumVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-46638CVE reference · exploit
- Official Product HomepageCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: phpFileManager 1.7.8 Local File Inclusion via index.phpCVE reference · third-party-advisory
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.
Missing Authentication for Critical Function
Missing Authentication for Critical Function represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.