CVE-2024-44016
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a path traversal vulnerability in the Podiant WordPress plugin that allows attackers to include local PHP files through improper path validation. The vulnerability affects all Podiant plugin versions up to 1.1, potentially enabling attackers to read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code on affected WordPress installations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Podiant WordPress 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
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or website defacement.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (configuration files, database credentials, user data) and limited file system access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server security configurations in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Path traversal vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and require minimal technical skill.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/podiant/wordpress-podiant-plugin-1-1-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Podiant plugin and update to version 1.2 or later. 4. Verify update completed successfully.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Podiant Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate podiant
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock path traversal patterns at WAF level
Add rule: block requests containing '../' or similar path traversal patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Podiant plugin entirely from production systems
- Implement strict file permissions and disable PHP execution in upload directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Podiant version. If version is 1.1 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get podiant --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Podiant plugin version is 1.2 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' patterns to Podiant plugin endpoints
- Unusual file access attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with path traversal payloads to /wp-content/plugins/podiant/
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*/podiant/*")