CVE-2024-49286 in SSV Events Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/20/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Jeroen Berkvens SSV Events ssv-events allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects SSV Events: from n/a through <= 3.2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2026
The CVE-2024-49286 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw within the Jeroen Berkvens SSV Events plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 3.2.7. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which defines improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain unauthorized access to sensitive files on the server by exploiting improper input validation in the plugin's file handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through PHP local file inclusion (LFI) vectors that arise from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters. When the SSV Events plugin processes file requests or includes external files, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the pathname parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious path sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can traverse directories beyond the intended restricted areas. This weakness specifically manifests when the plugin handles file operations without adequate boundary checks or canonicalization of file paths, creating opportunities for attackers to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the affected WordPress environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, user information, or even upload and execute malicious payloads through the compromised file inclusion mechanism. The vulnerability's presence in the SSV Events plugin means that any WordPress installation using this specific version range becomes susceptible to attacks that could compromise the entire website or application infrastructure, potentially leading to full system compromise or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-49286 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to the latest available release that addresses the path traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters undergo strict validation before being processed in file operations. The implementation of proper access controls and directory restrictions, combined with regular security audits of plugin code, can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Additionally, network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious path traversal patterns and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this weakness. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP and T1566.001 for malicious file execution underscores the need for layered defensive approaches that address both the immediate exploitation vector and broader security posture improvements.