Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-23814 is a file upload validation weakness in unisharp/laravel-filemanager before 2.6.2. In vulnerable Laravel applications, an authenticated user could potentially upload a dangerous file through the upload feature and gain code execution. Business risk is moderate because exploitation requires privileges and user interaction, but impact can be serious.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate-priority remediation for affected Laravel systems. It is not KEV-listed, but successful exploitation could compromise application data and integrity. Prioritize internet-facing or broadly accessible admin environments first.
Technical view
The package’s upload() handling did not sufficiently validate uploaded file type before version 2.6.2. The CVSS 3.1 score is 6.7 with network access, high attack complexity, low privileges, required user interaction, and high confidentiality and integrity impact. The weakness is mapped to CWE-94.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Laravel applications using unisharp/laravel-filemanager versions before 2.6.2, especially where upload functionality is reachable by authenticated users. The bundle does not identify other affected products or platforms.
Exploitation context
The source bundle describes a malicious file upload leading to remote code execution. CISA KEV status is false, so there is no provided evidence of known active exploitation. The CVSS vector includes proof-of-concept exploit maturity, but not confirmed in-the-wild use.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports vulnerable versions before 2.6.2 and insufficient upload file-type validation. The affected range in the bundle is imprecise, so dependency verification should use package metadata, release notes, and vendor issue context. Avoid assuming unrelated Laravel file managers are affected.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade unisharp/laravel-filemanager to version 2.6.2 or later.
- Configure allowed extensions with a whitelist in lfm.php as noted by the CVE description.
- Restrict access to file manager upload functionality to trusted users only.
- Review vendor release notes and issue discussion before deploying compensating controls.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Laravel applications for unisharp/laravel-filemanager dependency versions below 2.6.2.
- Check whether file manager upload routes are exposed to authenticated users.
- Review lfm.php for an explicit allowed-extension whitelist.
- Inspect web-accessible upload directories for unexpected executable file types.
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.
CWE-94: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. 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 lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-23814 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
- 6.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L/E:P
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:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L/E:P1.25.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L/E:P
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-PHP-UNISHARPLARAVELFILEMANAGER-1567199CVE reference
- https://github.com/UniSharp/laravel-filemanager/blob/master/src/Controllers/UploadController.php%23L26CVE reference
- https://github.com/UniSharp/laravel-filemanager/releases/tag/v2.5.1CVE reference
- https://github.com/UniSharp/laravel-filemanager/issues/1113CVE reference · x_transferred
- https://github.com/UniSharp/laravel-filemanager/releases/tag/v2.6.2CVE reference
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-PHP-UNISHARPLARAVELFILEMANAGER-1567199CVE reference · x_transferred
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.
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.