HOME VULNERABILITIESCVE-2022-2431

HIGH

CVE-2022-2431

CWE-73Published: September 6, 2022· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

8.8

CVSS v3.1

Official Description

The Download Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to, and including 3.2.50. This is due to insufficient file type and path validation on the deleteFiles() function found in the ~/Admin/Menu/Packages.php file that triggers upon download post deletion. This makes it possible for contributor level users and above to supply an arbitrary file path via the 'file[files]' parameter when creating a download post and once the user deletes the post the supplied arbitrary file will be deleted. This can be used by attackers to delete the /wp-config.php file which will reset the installation and make it possible for an attacker to achieve remote code execution on the server.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2022-2431 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires low privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.

A successful exploit results in complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 8.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability

Attack VectorNetwork

Attack ComplexityLow

Privileges Req.Low

User InteractionNone

ScopeUnchanged

Impact

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected Vendors & Products

w3eden1 product(s)

download manager

Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time

Offensive Security exploit database

GitHub PoC Search

Community PoC repositories

Rapid7 / Metasploit

Metasploit module search

Security advisories & exploits

Official NIST entry

CVE Program entry

External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.

Official Patches & Advisories

PATCHhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2762092%40download-manager&new=2762092%40download-manager&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=

PATCHhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2762092%40download-manager&new=2762092%40download-manager&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=

ADVISORYhttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167920/wpdownloadmanager3250-filedelete.txt

ADVISORYhttps://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/08/high-severity-vulnerability-patched-in-download-manager-plugin/

ADVISORYhttps://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167920/wpdownloadmanager3250-filedelete.txt

ADVISORYhttps://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/08/high-severity-vulnerability-patched-in-download-manager-plugin/

All References (6)

→

https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167920/wpdownloadmanager3250-filedelete.txtThird Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2762092%40download-manager&new=2762092%40download-manager&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=Patch · Third Party Advisory

→

https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/08/high-severity-vulnerability-patched-in-download-manager-plugin/Exploit · Third Party Advisory

→

https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167920/wpdownloadmanager3250-filedelete.txtThird Party Advisory · VDB Entry

→

https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=2762092%40download-manager&new=2762092%40download-manager&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=Patch · Third Party Advisory

→

https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/08/high-severity-vulnerability-patched-in-download-manager-plugin/Exploit · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2022-2431

CVSS Score8.8 / 10

SeverityHIGH

WeaknessCWE-73

CISA KEVNo

Affected1 vendor(s)

PublishedSep 6, 2022

Related CVEs (CWE-73)

Recommended Actions

→Apply vendor patches immediately
→Monitor CVE-2022-2431 in threat intel feeds
→Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts

Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWATCH.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.

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