CVE-2024-11680
About
ProjectSend versions prior to r1720 are affected by an improper authentication vulnerability. Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw by sending crafted HTTP requests to options.php, enabling unauthorized modification of the application's configuration. Successful exploitation allows attackers to create accounts, upload webshells, and embed malicious JavaScript.
Rainforest analyst review
ProjectSend before r1720 does not authenticate requests to options.php, the endpoint that controls application configuration. A remote, unauthenticated attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to modify that configuration — for instance enabling open user registration — and from there creates accounts, uploads PHP web shells, and embeds malicious JavaScript. What should be an admin-only settings page is effectively world-writable, so a single unauthenticated request chain leads to code execution and stored client-side attacks.
ProjectSend is a self-hosted file-sharing application, internet-exposed by nature and often run without close monitoring, which made it an easy mass target: exploitation was observed at scale in late 2024 against internet-facing installs. Upgrade to r1720 or later, and because the attack rewrites configuration and can plant persistent artifacts, don't stop at patching — review settings for unauthorized changes, look for rogue accounts and uploaded PHP shells in the web root, and check served pages for injected scripts.
References
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/vulnerabilities/projectsend-auth-bypass.yaml
- https://github.com/projectsend/projectsend/commit/193367d937b1a59ed5b68dd4e60bd53317473744
- https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/projectsend_unauth_rce.rb
- https://vulncheck.com/advisories/projectsend-bypass
- https://www.synacktiv.com/sites/default/files/2024-07/synacktiv-projectsend-multiple-vulnerabilities.pdf
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-11680
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Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2024-11680?
ProjectSend versions prior to r1720 are affected by an improper authentication vulnerability. Remote, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw by sending crafted HTTP requests to options.php, enabling unauthorized modification of the application's configuration. Successful exploitation allows attackers to create accounts, upload webshells, and embed malicious JavaScript.
How severe is CVE-2024-11680?
CVE-2024-11680 carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, rated critical. On the Rainforest Risk Index — which weighs the severity alongside how easy the flaw is to reach and how broad its impact is — it scores 99 out of 100, in the critical band.
How is CVE-2024-11680 exploited?
According to the CVSS vector (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H): attack vector Network, attack complexity Low, privileges required None, user interaction None. Impact on confidentiality High, integrity High and availability High.
Which products are affected by CVE-2024-11680?
Public advisories list the following as affected: projectsend. Check the references on this page for the exact versions each vendor confirms.
How do I fix CVE-2024-11680?
Apply the fix the vendor published — the references on this page link to the primary advisories and patches. When patching can't happen right away, reduce the exposure of the affected component and watch it for exploitation attempts. Rainforest customers see this vulnerability correlated to their own assets and prioritized by real exposure, not by score alone.
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