CVE-2015-1579 in Divi
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the Elegant Themes Divi theme for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the img parameter in a revslider_show_image action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. NOTE: this vulnerability may be a duplicate of CVE-2014-9734.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2026
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1579 affects the Elegant Themes Divi WordPress theme and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the target system. This vulnerability specifically resides within the revslider_show_image action handler located at wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, where the img parameter fails to properly validate user input containing directory traversal sequences. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file paths through the use of .. (dot dot) sequences, which can navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files that should remain protected. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms within the WordPress administrative interface, particularly in the AJAX handling component that processes theme-related requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive system files including configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other confidential data that may be stored in accessible directories. Attackers can leverage this flaw to retrieve WordPress core files, theme files, plugin files, and potentially even server-side scripts that contain database connection strings or other critical configuration data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require local system access or authentication to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress installations are publicly accessible. According to ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique under the T1059.001 category for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's potential for duplication with CVE-2014-9734 indicates that similar path traversal flaws may exist in other components of the same software ecosystem, suggesting a broader pattern of insufficient input validation that requires comprehensive remediation across all affected modules.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1579 should begin with immediate patching of the affected Elegant Themes Divi theme to the latest version that contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations must also implement proper input sanitization mechanisms that validate and filter all user-supplied data, particularly parameters that are used in file system operations. The implementation of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts can provide an additional layer of protection. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit exposure of WordPress administrative interfaces to untrusted networks. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices, particularly regarding input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive backup strategies and monitoring systems to detect unauthorized file access attempts, as this vulnerability can potentially be used as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems.