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Wp Directory Kit CVE-2023-2278

CRITICAL
Path Traversal (CWE-22)
2023-06-13 security@wordfence.com
9.8
CVSS 3.1 · NVD
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Path canonicalization, traversal prevention
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Discovery, Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.66%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could access files and directories outside the intended path by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Why: CRITICAL severity + public POC available.
Patch available 0.7% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAI

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 1.1.9 via the 'wdk_public_action' function. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Validate and canonicalize file paths. Use chroot or sandboxing. Reject input containing path separators or '../' sequences.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Path Traversal (CWE-22), which allows attackers to access files and directories outside the intended path. The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 1.1.9 via the 'wdk_public_action' function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included. Affected products include: Wpdirectorykit Wp Directory Kit.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

NVD PRIMARY 9.8 CRITICAL
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorNVD

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Patch released
Apr 08, 2026 - 18:22 nvd
Patch available
PoC Detected
Apr 08, 2026 - 18:17 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Jun 13, 2023 - 02:15 nvd
CRITICAL 9.8

DescriptionCVE.org

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 1.1.9 via the 'wdk_public_action' function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.7%
Top 29% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity CRITICAL
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.7%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
CRITICAL severity + public POC available
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact· derived
Medium

Priority Score

70
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: +1
CVSS: +49
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Path traversal exploits occur when applications use user-controlled input to construct file system paths without proper validation.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.

Affected Products (CPE)CVE.org

cpe:2.3:a:wpdirectorykit:wp_directory_kit:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
CVE-2024-3217 HIGH
8.8 Apr 05

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'attribute_value' and 'attribute_id' pa

CVE-2026-18474 HIGH POC
8.6 Aug 12

Unauthenticated SQL injection in WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin (all versions before 1.5.6) allows remote attackers t

CVE-2026-18230 HIGH POC
8.1 Aug 12

SQL injection in WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin (all versions before 1.5.6) allows any authenticated user - including

CVE-2025-13390 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Dec 03

An authentication bypass in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin through version 1.4.4 lets unauthenticated remote atta

CVE-2026-16589 HIGH POC
7.7 Aug 08

SQL injection via an unsecured AJAX endpoint in WP Directory Kit (WordPress plugin) before 1.5.5 allows any authenticate

CVE-2026-16594 HIGH POC
7.5 Aug 08

WP Directory Kit versions before 1.5.5 expose the plugin's full settings - including sensitive API keys and third-party

CVE-2026-18653 HIGH POC
7.2 Aug 16

SQL injection in WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before 1.5.7 is exploitable by authenticated administrators, with mat

CVE-2026-16591 HIGH POC
7.2 Sep 26

Stored cross-site scripting in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before version 1.5.8 lets an authenticated user who

CVE-2026-16593 MEDIUM POC
6.8 Sep 15

SQL injection in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin (versions through 1.5.7) lets authenticated users with page-build

CVE-2026-16590 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Aug 08

Unauthorized data exposure in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin (all versions before 1.5.5) allows any authenticated

CVE-2026-16595 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Aug 08

WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin before version 1.5.5 exposes sensitive site data to any authenticated user due to miss

CVE-2023-2351 MEDIUM POC
6.5 Jun 13

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data and loss of data due to a m

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