Folders Pro <= 3.0.2 - Authenticated(Author+) Arbitrary File Upload via handle_folders_file_upload
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 3.0.3
- Affected Plugin
- Folders Pro
- Affected Version
<= 3.0.2- CVSS
- 8.8High
- Weakness type
- CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
- CVE
CVE-2024-2024
At a glance
CVE-2024-2024 is a high-severity Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in the Folders Pro WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 3.0.2. It carries a CVSS score of 8.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Author level or above. The issue is fixed in version 3.0.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed June 2024, reported by Colin Xu.
Vulnerability Overview
The Folders Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the 'handle_folders_file_upload' function in all versions up to, and including, 3.0.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author access and above, to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible.
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')
Folders Pro <= 3.0.2 carries this weakness at handle_folders_file_upload, and reaching it takes an account at Author 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 Folders Pro the fix is 3.0.3: builds <= 3.0.2 are affected, anything from 3.0.3 onward is not.
Remediation
Update to version 3.0.3, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
An attacker needs Author 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: Folders Pro 3.0.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Firewall
- Alerts
External References
Related records
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