File Manager Advanced Shortcode <= Multiple Versions - Authenticated (Administrator+) Local JavaScript File Inclusion via Shortcode
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 2.6.0
- Affected Plugin
- File Manager Advanced Shortcode
- Affected Version
<= 2.5.4- CVSS
- 7.2High
- Weakness type
- CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
- CVE
CVE-2024-13914
At a glance
CVE-2024-13914 is a high-severity Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in the File Manager Advanced Shortcode WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 2.5.4. It carries a CVSS score of 7.2 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Administrator level or above. The issue is fixed in version 2.6.0; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed May 2025, reported by TANG Cheuk Hei (siunam).
Vulnerability Overview
The File Manager Advanced Shortcode plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.4 (file-manager-advanced-shortcode) and 2.5.6 (advanced-file-manager-pro-premium), via the 'file_manager_advanced' shortcode. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary JavaScript files on the server. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included. Sites currently using 2.5.4 (file-manager-advanced-shortcode) should be updated to 2.6.0 (advanced-file-manager-pro-premium).
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.
CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
File Manager Advanced Shortcode <= 2.5.4 carries this weakness at file_manager_advanced, and reaching it takes an account at Administrator level or above. Path traversal happens when user-controlled text is used to build a filesystem path without being constrained to an intended directory, so sequences like ../ walk the resolved path somewhere else.
Depending on the operation, it means reading files outside the intended folder — wp-config.php being the usual target — or writing to and deleting paths the web server can touch. For File Manager Advanced Shortcode the fix is 2.6.0: builds <= 2.5.4 are affected, anything from 2.6.0 onward is not.
Remediation
Update to version 2.6.0, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
An attacker needs Administrator access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: File Manager Advanced Shortcode 2.6.0 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Firewall
- Alerts
External References
Related records
Other vulnerabilities in File Manager Advanced Shortcode
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