CVE-2026-37266

Technical summary

CVE-2026-37266 is a code injection vulnerability (CWE-98: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program) within the force_download.php file of Responsive File Manager 9.14.0. The vulnerability allows an authenticated, low-privileged user to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code through insufficient input validation or improper sanitization of file handling parameters. The network-accessible nature of the component, combined with low attack complexity and lack of special privileges required beyond standard user authentication, creates a direct path to remote code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Business impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete compromise of the Responsive File Manager instance and potentially the host server. Attackers could access sensitive files, modify or delete data, plant backdoors for persistent access, or use compromised infrastructure for lateral movement within the network. Organizations relying on Responsive File Manager for document management, content distribution, or file hosting face data breach, service disruption, and reputational damage. The requirement for authentication narrows the immediate threat surface, but compromised or social-engineered user credentials make this a realistic attack vector.

Affected systems

Responsive File Manager version 9.14.0 is confirmed vulnerable. Organizations running this version in production should be prioritized for assessment and patching. Verify whether your deployment includes the force_download.php component and is accessible to authenticated users. Earlier and later versions should be evaluated against vendor advisories to confirm patch status and safe versions.

Exploitability

While the vulnerability requires valid authentication credentials, the low attack complexity and reliance on user interaction (rather than complex exploitation techniques) make it moderately exploitable in real-world scenarios. Compromised accounts, weak password practices, or social engineering could facilitate attacker access. The vulnerability is not currently listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, but this does not guarantee active exploitation has not occurred or will not occur. Security teams should monitor threat intelligence for any emerging proof-of-concept or public exploit code.

Remediation

Immediate action: Update Responsive File Manager to a patched version released after the vulnerability discovery. Consult the official vendor advisory and release notes to confirm a safe version. As an interim measure pending patches, restrict access to Responsive File Manager to trusted users and networks, implement network segmentation, and enforce strong authentication (multi-factor authentication where possible). Review access logs for suspicious activity involving force_download.php or unexpected file operations.

Patch guidance

Contact the Responsive File Manager vendor or review their official security advisories for confirmed patched versions. Do not deploy untested patches in production without validation in a staging environment first. Verify that the patched version specifically addresses CWE-98 in the force_download.php component. After patching, restart the application and confirm normal operation of file download and management functions before re-enabling production traffic.

Detection guidance

Monitor server logs for unusual requests to force_download.php, particularly those with anomalous parameters, encoded payloads, or repeated failed attempts. Web application firewalls (WAF) should be configured to detect PHP code injection patterns and suspicious file inclusion attempts. Implement file integrity monitoring on the Responsive File Manager directory to detect unauthorized code modifications. Hunt for evidence of exploitation in PHP error logs, web server access logs, and system command execution records (e.g., process execution from web server user context).

Why prioritize this

This vulnerability merits urgent attention due to its HIGH CVSS score (8.0), direct remote code execution impact, and presence in a widely-used file management tool. While authentication is required, the low attack complexity and widespread deployment of Responsive File Manager mean that patching should be prioritized within the next 30 days. Organizations should treat this as higher priority than vulnerabilities requiring more complex exploitation chains or special privileges.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.0 (HIGH) reflects high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with network accessibility and low attack complexity. The authentication requirement and need for user interaction lower the score from critical, but remote code execution always carries severe risk. The CWE-98 classification (improper control of include/require statements) is a known attack vector in PHP applications and should be treated with corresponding concern in security planning.

Frequently asked questions