Skip to main content

Kirki WordPress Plugin EUVDEUVD-2026-30976

| CVE-2026-8073 HIGH
Relative Path Traversal (CWE-23)
2026-05-19 Wordfence GHSA-r2f5-qhhx-h354
7.5
CVSS 3.1 · Vendor: Wordfence
View

Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Identify WordPress site running Kirki ≤6.0.6
  2. Delivery
    Send unauthenticated request to downloadZIP endpoint
  3. Exploit
    Inject traversal path targeting uploads directory file
  4. Execution
    Read file contents via ZIP response
  5. Persist
    Trigger file deletion routine
  6. Impact
    Repeat against backups and media assets

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V5 - File Handling Relative path traversal prevention
Exploitation Conditions

No special conditions - remote unauthenticated exploitation against default configurations of WordPress sites running the Kirki plugin version 6.0.6 or earlier; the vulnerable 'downloadZIP' function is reachable without login or user interaction. The only material limit on impact (not on exploitability) is that file read and deletion are constrained to paths reachable from the WordPress uploads base directory, so OS-level files outside wp-content/uploads and files protected by filesystem permissions are not directly affected; the attacker must also be able to reach the WordPress HTTP(S) endpoint, so sites behind IP allowlists or VPN-only access have reduced exposure.

Impact

The CVSS 7.5 score (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N) reflects a network-reachable, low-complexity, unauthenticated attack with high confidentiality impact but, per the official vector, no integrity or availability impact recorded - a notable inconsistency, since the description explicitly confirms arbitrary file deletion, which should logically map to I:H or A:H. Defenders should therefore treat this as higher than the headline score suggests when assessing impact on site availability (deleted uploads can break media libraries, themes, and child-plugin assets). No EPSS, KEV, or SSVC data was provided; the vulnerability is not currently listed as actively exploited, and no public exploit identified at time of analysis, but WordPress plugins of this popularity historically see rapid mass-exploitation once a PoC surfaces, especially given the unauthenticated nature.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An unauthenticated attacker on the internet sends a crafted HTTP request to the Kirki 'downloadZIP' endpoint on a vulnerable WordPress site, supplying a manipulated file-path parameter that uses relative traversal to reference files inside wp-content/uploads (for example, backup archives, exported user data, or media assets). The attacker first downloads the file contents and then triggers deletion, defacing the media library or destroying site backups stored in uploads. No public exploit identified at time of analysis, but the low attack complexity and no-authentication requirement make weaponization straightforward once researchers publish details.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.1% exploitation probability (EPSS)

Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.

Alert me

AnalysisAIv1 – May 19, 2026

Arbitrary file read and deletion in the Kirki - Freeform Page Builder plugin for WordPress (versions through 6.0.6) allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read and delete files within the WordPress uploads base directory by abusing the 'downloadZIP' function. The flaw stems from insufficient path validation and a missing capability check, and was reported by Wordfence; no public exploit identified at time of analysis.

RemediationAI

Upstream fix available (changeset 3535640 on the kirki trunk); released patched version not independently confirmed from the supplied data, so administrators should upgrade to the latest available Kirki release published after changeset 3535640 (any version greater than 6.0.6) via the WordPress plugin updater and verify the patched API.php is deployed. If immediate upgrade is not possible, compensating controls include deactivating the Kirki plugin entirely (trade-off: site customizer features and theme options may break), blocking unauthenticated requests to the plugin's REST/AJAX endpoints that reach the 'downloadZIP' handler at the web application firewall or via .htaccess/nginx rules (trade-off: may break legitimate customizer export functionality), and ensuring filesystem-level backups of wp-content/uploads exist so deleted files can be restored. Reference the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/b073edd0-3f40-423e-976e-996b29caf66e for detection signatures.

Affected VersionsENISA

Kirki – Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer 0 ≤6.0.6

Affected Packages

euvd kirki_freeform_page_builder_website_builder_customizer no fix

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 1 package in euvd

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

Technical ContextAI · show details

Kirki is a popular WordPress customizer framework and page-builder plugin developed by Themeum. The vulnerable 'downloadZIP' function within includes/API.php is exposed without proper authorization (no current_user_can/capability check) and without sanitization of the requested file path, allowing relative path manipulation. This is a textbook CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) issue: user-supplied input is concatenated into a filesystem path used for both reading (zipping) and deleting files, with the WordPress uploads directory serving as the effective root, but with traversal possible within that scope.

Know when Wordpress Plugin gets its next vulnerability

  • Watch products and get an email when something new is published
  • Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

No credit card · 7-day full trial

Severity by source

Vendor (Wordfence) PRIMARY 7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary rating from Vendor (Wordfence) · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorVendor: Wordfence

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

DescriptionCVE.org

The Kirki - Freeform Page Builder, Website Builder & Customizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation and missing capability check in the 'downloadZIP' function in all versions up to, and including, 6.0.6. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read and delete arbitrary files limited in the WordPress uploads base directory.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

The Kirki page builder plugin for WordPress (versions 6.0.6 and earlier) contains a vulnerability allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to read and delete files from the WordPress uploads directory-potentially exposing or destroying customer media, documents, and sensitive assets, with no public exploit identified at time of analysis. Organizations using this plugin face immediate risk of data loss and unauthorized access to stored content. Rapid identification and remediation are required.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

No vendor-released patch identified at time of analysis. Interim mitigations: (1) Immediately deactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin; (2) If disabling is not feasible, use Web Application Firewall or web server configuration to restrict access to the vulnerable downloadZIP function to authenticated users only; (3) Implement file integrity monitoring on the /wp-content/uploads/ directory to alert on unauthorized file modifications or deletions; (4) Maintain automated, immutable backups of the uploads directory with rapid recovery procedures; (5) Review access logs for suspicious file download and deletion activity patterns.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.1%
Top 75% exploitable
Social Media
1
Sightings
Data Quality
6 sources
Confidence: High

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 HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC No
EPSS 0.1%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
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
Scheduled
Exploitation
None
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable
Yes
Human Impact
High
Technical Impact
Partial

Priority Score

38
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +38
PoC: 0
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

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

CVE-2023-6553 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Dec 15

The Backup Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 1

CVE-2024-5084 CRITICAL POC
9.8 May 23

The Hash Form - Drag & Drop Form Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing fil

CVE-2024-44000 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Oct 20

Authentication bypass in the LiteSpeed Cache WordPress plugin (versions prior to 6.5.0.1) allows unauthenticated remote

CVE-2020-36847 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Jul 12

The Simple File List plugin for WordPress through version 4.2.2 contains an unauthenticated remote code execution vulner

CVE-2025-11749 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Nov 05

The AI Engine WordPress plugin through version 3.1.3 exposes Bearer Token values through the /mcp/v1/ REST API endpoint

CVE-2025-27007 CRITICAL POC
9.8 May 01

The SureTriggers WordPress plugin through version 1.0.82 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows unaut

CVE-2016-1209 CRITICAL POC
9.8 May 14

The Ninja Forms plugin before 2.9.42.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to conduct PHP object injection attacks via

CVE-2024-4443 CRITICAL POC
9.8 May 22

The Business Directory Plugin - Easy Listing Directories for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to time-based

CVE-2024-1698 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Feb 27

SQL injection in the NotificationX WordPress plugin (versions up to and including 2.8.2) allows unauthenticated remote a

CVE-2023-6875 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Jan 11

The POST SMTP Mailer - Email log, Delivery Failure Notifications and Best Mail SMTP for WordPress plugin for WordPress i

CVE-2024-1512 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Feb 17

The MasterStudy LMS WordPress Plugin - for Online Courses and Education plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to union base

CVE-2024-4295 CRITICAL POC
9.8 Jun 05

The Email Subscribers by Icegram Express plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the ‘hash’ parameter in

This site uses cookies essential for authentication and security. No tracking or analytics cookies are used. Privacy Policy