CVE-2024-43232
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to read arbitrary files on WordPress servers through path traversal in the Timeline and History slider plugin. It affects all WordPress sites using this plugin from any version up to 2.3. Attackers can exploit this without authentication to access sensitive server files.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Timeline and History slider 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 configuration files (wp-config.php), database credentials exposure, and potential remote code execution via log poisoning or PHP wrapper exploitation.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure including WordPress configuration, database credentials, and other server files leading to data breach and potential site takeover.
If Mitigated
Limited to reading non-sensitive files if proper file permissions and web server restrictions are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple path traversal payloads can be used to read files. No authentication required.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Timeline and History slider'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allDeactivate the Timeline and History slider plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate timeline-and-history-slider
Web server file restriction
allConfigure web server to block directory traversal attempts
# For Apache: add to .htaccess
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} \.\. [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F]
</IfModule>
# For Nginx: add to server block
location ~* \.\. {
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Timeline and History slider plugin from all WordPress installations
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block path traversal patterns and monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Timeline and History slider version. If version is 2.3 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get timeline-and-history-slider --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel, or confirm plugin is completely removed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' patterns to plugin endpoints
- Unusual file access attempts to wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or other sensitive paths
- 404 errors for non-existent plugin files with traversal patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests with '../' sequences in URL parameters
- Requests to /wp-content/plugins/timeline-and-history-slider/ with file paths in parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*..%2f*" OR url="*..%5c*") AND url="*/timeline-and-history-slider/*"