The Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid – Visual Drag and Drop Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 1.27.6 via the template_via_url() function. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.
With a CVSS score of 6.5, classified as medium severity, the vulnerability poses a notable risk. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that the barrier to exploit this vulnerability is minimal. Organizations must prioritize remediation efforts for this issue to secure their WordPress installations.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive files, which could lead to data breaches or compliance violations. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Currently, there are no publicly available exploits or proofs of concept for this vulnerability. However, the potential for exploitation exists, necessitating a proactive approach to security.
Vulnerability Details
The Post and Page Builder plugin for WordPress, developed by BoldGrid, suffers from a path traversal vulnerability. This issue is present in all versions up to and including 1.27.6. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')).
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low attack complexity and low privileges required for successful exploitation. User interaction is not required, and the potential confidentiality impact is high, while integrity and availability impacts are negligible.
The vulnerability was published on February 6, 2025, and is still in the analyzed status. Organizations using the affected versions should consider this vulnerability a critical issue requiring swift action.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of file paths in the template_via_url() function. This oversight allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to files outside of the intended directory structure.
The attack vector is primarily network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely. The attack complexity is low, as it requires only low-level privileges. In this case, a user with Contributor-level access can initiate the attack without any user interaction. The vulnerability presents a high confidentiality impact, as sensitive data can be accessed without authorization.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. Organizations utilizing the affected BoldGrid plugin are at risk of exposing sensitive information stored on their servers. The potential blast radius includes any data that could be read via this vulnerability, including user information, configuration files, and other sensitive documents.
Given the medium CVSS score and the low exploitability threshold, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch (1.27.7) of the BoldGrid Post and Page Builder are affected. Users should ensure they are updated to the latest version.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should update the BoldGrid Post and Page Builder plugin to version 1.27.7 or later to remediate this vulnerability. Regular patching is essential for maintaining security. If immediate patching is not possible, organizations should consider temporary workarounds, such as disabling the plugin until it can be updated.
For effective vulnerability management, organizations may benefit from engaging in penetration testing to identify and address similar risks in their systems.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unusual file access patterns and review user activity for any unauthorized attempts to access sensitive files.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing risks associated with path traversal vulnerabilities in web applications. Security teams should prioritize addressing such vulnerabilities to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Organizations looking to enhance their security posture can explore strategies through our vulnerability management program and consider adopting best practices from our penetration testing methodology resources.
Additionally, organizations should remain vigilant and ensure they are updated on the latest security trends to safeguard their systems against emerging threats, as detailed in our vulnerability exposure severity trends articles.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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