CVE-2015-20125 in PDF Exporter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2026
Aspose PDF Exporter plugin for WordPress before 2.0 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to download files through the unsanitized 'file' parameter passed to readfile(). Attackers can send GET requests to aspose_pdf_exporter_download.php with traversal sequences like ../../../wp-config.php to retrieve WordPress database credentials. Exploitation evidence was first observed by the Shadowserver Foundation on 2023-10-19.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2026
The Aspose PDF Exporter plugin for WordPress, prior to version 2.0, contains a critical path traversal vulnerability that exposes sensitive server files to unauthenticated attackers. This flaw resides in the aspose_pdf_exporter_download.php script, which handles file retrieval operations but fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input. Specifically, the file parameter is passed directly to PHP's readfile function without adequate checks for directory traversal sequences such as dot-dot-slash characters. This lack of validation allows an attacker to manipulate the intended file path by appending relative paths that escape the designated download directory and access arbitrary files on the web server.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability relies on the fundamental behavior of the readfile function when provided with a maliciously crafted path string. By injecting sequences like ../../../wp-config.php into the file parameter via GET requests, an attacker can traverse up through the directory hierarchy to reach sensitive configuration files located outside the plugin's intended scope. The wp-config.php file is particularly critical as it typically contains database credentials, authentication keys, and other secrets necessary for WordPress operation. Successful exploitation results in the direct download of these plaintext credential files, effectively compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as it enables unauthenticated remote code execution prerequisites by exposing administrative credentials. Once an attacker obtains database passwords from wp-config.php, they can attempt to access the WordPress admin dashboard or directly interact with the MySQL database using tools like phpMyAdmin if exposed. This leads to potential data theft, defacement, and further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The severity is compounded by the fact that no authentication is required to trigger this flaw, making it easily exploitable by automated scanning bots and opportunistic attackers across the internet.
Evidence of active exploitation for this vulnerability was first observed by the Shadowserver Foundation on October 19, 2023, indicating that threat actors are actively targeting instances of this plugin in the wild. This real-world activity underscores the urgency for immediate remediation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory and is often associated with ATT&CK technique T1504: Web Shell, as obtaining these credentials can facilitate further malicious activities including web shell deployment or data exfiltration.
To mitigate this risk, administrators must immediately upgrade the Aspose PDF Exporter plugin to version 2.0 or later, where the path traversal issue has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization techniques. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, temporary mitigations include restricting access to the aspose_pdf_exporter_download.php endpoint via web server configuration rules such as Apache's mod_rewrite or Nginx deny directives, ensuring that only authorized IP addresses can interact with this script. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests containing directory traversal sequences in query parameters can provide an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts while the system is being patched.