CVE-2023-32297 in LWS Affiliation Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in LWS LWS Affiliation allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects LWS Affiliation: from n/a through 2.2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2026
The vulnerability described represents a classic path traversal weakness that enables unauthorized access to local files through improper input validation in the LWS Affiliation plugin. This security flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of pathname to restricted directories. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used in file path operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate directory traversal sequences and access files outside of intended directories. The affected version range indicates that all versions from the initial release through 2.2.6 are susceptible to this attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables PHP local file inclusion attacks by exploiting the lack of proper path validation in the plugin's file handling mechanisms. When user input is directly incorporated into file path construction without adequate sanitization or validation, attackers can append sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate upward in the directory structure and access sensitive files that should remain protected. This allows for arbitrary file reading, which can expose configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information. The vulnerability specifically affects the LWS Affiliation plugin, suggesting that the issue lies within how this particular WordPress plugin processes file operations or user inputs related to file handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code through local file inclusion techniques. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access the entire file system of the affected server, retrieve sensitive data, modify application files, or even establish persistent access through the inclusion of malicious PHP code. This weakness significantly undermines the security posture of any WordPress installation using the vulnerable plugin, as it creates a direct pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to the underlying system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in shared hosting environments where multiple applications reside on the same server, as it could potentially enable attackers to access files belonging to other applications or users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.2.7 or later, as this represents the first fixed release addressing the path traversal issue. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures that enforce strict path restrictions, ensuring that all user-supplied input is validated against a whitelist of acceptable characters and patterns. The implementation of proper file access controls and directory restrictions should be enforced through the use of secure coding practices that prevent directory traversal attacks by validating file paths and limiting access to specific directories. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns and unauthorized attempts to traverse directory structures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for PHP, indicating that it fits within the attack pattern of executing malicious code through PHP-based applications, making it critical for security teams to monitor for such activities and implement proper network segmentation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.