CVE-2026-13347 in Hide My WP Lite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/10/2026
The Hide My WP Lite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in versions up to and including 1.3 via the he_wrapper_js and he_wrapper_css query parameters processed by the elementor_assets_filter() function. This is due to the function concatenating user-supplied input directly onto ABSPATH and passing the result to file_get_contents() without any path traversal validation, allow-list, realpath containment, or extension check; the result is then echoed in the HTTP response. Although the output is passed through wp_kses_post(), that function only filters HTML tags and does not prevent disclosure of arbitrary file contents. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the affected site's server (such as wp-config). Note: The exploit requires the Elementor plugin and the 'Hide Elementor' feature to be enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2026
The Hide My WP Lite plugin vulnerability represents a critical arbitrary file read flaw that affects WordPress installations using versions up to and including 1.3. This security weakness stems from improper input validation within the elementor_assets_filter() function which processes the he_wrapper_js and he_wrapper_css query parameters. The vulnerability operates through a path traversal exploitation technique where user-supplied parameters are directly concatenated with ABSPATH without any form of sanitization or validation mechanisms. The absence of allow-lists, realpath containment checks, or extension validation creates an uncontrolled access point that allows attackers to request any file on the server filesystem. When the concatenated path is passed to file_get_contents() function, it retrieves the requested file contents and outputs them directly in the HTTP response without proper security filtering.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal attack pattern where the application fails to properly validate user input before using it in file system operations. The lack of any containment measures means that attackers can potentially access sensitive files including configuration files like wp-config.php which contains database credentials and other critical system information. Even though the output is processed through wp_kses_post() function, this HTML sanitization mechanism only removes dangerous HTML tags and does not prevent the disclosure of arbitrary file contents or binary data that could be embedded within the response. The vulnerability requires specific conditions to be exploitable including the presence of the Elementor plugin and activation of the 'Hide Elementor' feature, which narrows the attack surface but does not eliminate the severity of the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with access to critical system configuration files that could lead to complete system compromise. When combined with other vulnerabilities or reconnaissance efforts, an attacker could potentially obtain database credentials, plugin configurations, or even administrative access tokens that would allow for full system control. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any user with access to the vulnerable website can exploit this flaw without requiring prior authentication or privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple websites are hosted on the same server or when the WordPress installation contains sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address this vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block path traversal attempts. Organizations should also consider restricting access to the Elementor plugin functionality and implementing proper input validation mechanisms at all levels of the application stack. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-79 Cross-Site Scripting categories, representing a combination of directory traversal and output encoding issues that require comprehensive security controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1083 File and Directory Discovery and T1566 Phishing, as it enables attackers to discover sensitive files and potentially use the information for further attacks. Regular security audits should include checks for similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes, particularly those that handle user input in file system operations.