CVE-2023-53980
Projectsend r1605
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-53980 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Projectsend Projectsend. Its CVSS base score is 8.7 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Data Obfuscation (T1001); ranked in the top 40% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-3 (Malicious Code Protection) and CM-7 (Least Functionality) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2023-53980 is a remote code execution vulnerability in ProjectSend r1605. It enables attackers to upload malicious files, such as shell scripts with disguised extensions, through the upload.process.php endpoint by manipulating file extensions. This flaw allows execution of arbitrary commands on the server and carries a CVSS score of 9.8 (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), mapped to CWE-434.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely with low complexity and no user interaction. Successful exploitation provides high-impact access to execute arbitrary commands, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability on the affected server.
Advisories, including those from VulnCheck, describe the remote code execution stemming from file extension manipulation in ProjectSend. A public proof-of-concept exploit is available on Exploit-DB (ID 51238), and the ProjectSend website offers additional details on the software.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-60242
Vulnerability Data
ProjectSend r1605 contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows attackers to upload malicious files by manipulating file extensions. Attackers can upload shell scripts with disguised extensions through the upload.process.php endpoint to execute arbitrary commands on the server.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V5.1.1
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Malicious-code protection at entry points blocks dangerous file types from being accepted and executed.
Least functionality restricts the file types and automatic processing capabilities the system will accept.
Mobile-code controls define, authorize, and block unacceptable uploaded code before automatic processing occurs.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.
Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.
Secure development practices include input validation and file-type restrictions that prevent this weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.