Simple Download Counter <= 2.2.2 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Arbitrary File Read via Path Traversal

2025-12-09 00:00
ChamlaVic

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 2.2.3
Affected Version<= 2.2.2
CVSS4.9Medium
CVECVE-2025-13677
View all Simple Download Counter vulnerabilities

Vulnerability Overview

The Simple Download Counter plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.2.2. This is due to insufficient path validation in the `simple_download_counter_parse_path()` function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which may contain sensitive information such as database credentials (wp-config.php) or system files. Please note that the vendor opted to continue to allow remote file downloads from arbitrary locations on the server, however, has disabled this functionality on multi-sites and provided a warning to site owners in the readme.txt when they install the plugin. While not an optimal patch, we have considered this sufficient and recommend users proceed to use the plugin with caution.

Technical Analysis

REMEDIATION: Update to version 2.2.3, or a newer patched version --- IDENTIFIER: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

External References

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