CVE-2023-53894: phpfm 1.7.9 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to log in by exploiting loos

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2023-53894 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting phpfilemanager. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

phpfm 1.7.9 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to log in by exploiting loose type comparison in password hash validation. Attackers can craft specific password hashes beginning with 0e or 00e to bypass authentication and upload malicious PHP files to the server.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 50%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1390
Published	2025-12-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: dulldusk

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-12-16 17:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:46 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dulldusk phpfilemanager DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.7.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.7.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy phpfilemanager || rpm -q phpfilemanager || phpfilemanager --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.7.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison phpfilemanager sudo apt install phpfilemanager=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.9> sudo apt-mark hold phpfilemanager

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list phpfilemanager sudo dnf downgrade phpfilemanager-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.7.9> sudo dnf versionlock add phpfilemanager

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Fedora ELN · openjpeg · FIXED · 2.5.4-5.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-1a5f60f401 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-1a5f60f401

Fedora 46 · trustedqsl · FIXED · 2.8.7-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-6b1bc90ebc · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-6b1bc90ebc

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/51594

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-53894?

phpfilemanager: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-53894 being exploited?

CVE-2023-53894 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-53894 affect?

CVE-2023-53894 affects phpfilemanager. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). phpfm 1.7.9 contains an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows attackers to log in by exploiting loose type comparison in password hash validation. Attackers can craft specific password hashes beginning with 0e or 00e to bypass aut

How urgent is CVE-2023-53894?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-5673 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE Vulnerability in Dulldusk's PHP File Manager affecting version 1.7.8
CVE-2019-25632 MEDIUM 6.2 DOWNGRADE phpFileManager 1.7.8 contains a local file inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to re
CVE-2015-5958 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE phpFileManager 0.9.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted URL.

References

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