CVE-2024-38715
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to perform path traversal attacks in the ExS Widgets WordPress plugin, enabling PHP local file inclusion. Attackers can read sensitive files on the server by manipulating file paths. All WordPress sites using ExS Widgets version 0.3.1 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress ExS Widgets Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise through reading sensitive files like wp-config.php, potentially leading to database credentials exposure and remote code execution.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive server files, configuration disclosure, and potential privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
Limited file access restricted by server permissions, with no critical data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Path traversal vulnerabilities are commonly exploited with simple HTTP requests.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.3.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/exs-widgets/wordpress-exs-widgets-plugin-0-3-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find ExS Widgets and update to version 0.3.2 or later. 4. If update not available, deactivate and delete the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ExS Widgets Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.
wp plugin deactivate exs-widgets
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock path traversal patterns in requests to WordPress.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Deactivate and remove the ExS Widgets plugin immediately
- Implement strict file permission controls on the web server
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > ExS Widgets version. If version is 0.3.1 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get exs-widgets --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify ExS Widgets plugin version is 0.3.2 or later in WordPress admin.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' patterns to WordPress paths
- Unusual file access attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with path traversal sequences to /wp-content/plugins/exs-widgets/
SIEM Query:
SELECT * FROM web_logs WHERE url LIKE '%../%' AND url LIKE '%exs-widgets%'