CVE-2026-14235 in Download Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
The Download Manager WordPress plugin before 3.3.62 does not bind its temporary download token to the requesting session nor expire it promptly, making the token a long-lived, multi-use, portable bearer token, so that an attacker who obtains one leaked download key can repeatedly download a role- or password-protected package file without authorization.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
The vulnerability in the Download Manager WordPress plugin affects versions prior to 3.3.62 and represents a critical security flaw in access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the plugin's improper handling of temporary download tokens that are generated when users attempt to access protected content. The tokens lack proper session binding and timely expiration, creating persistent access credentials that can be exploited indefinitely by unauthorized parties who obtain them through various means such as network monitoring, log inspection, or other reconnaissance techniques.
The technical implementation flaw allows attackers to leverage these long-lived bearer tokens as portable access keys for downloading restricted content. Unlike properly implemented security tokens that are bound to specific sessions and have short lifespans, the vulnerable plugin generates tokens that remain valid across multiple requests and can be reused repeatedly by any party possessing them. This design defect creates a significant attack surface where a single leaked token can provide persistent unauthorized access to sensitive files that would normally require proper authentication or role-based permissions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to systematically download protected content without requiring ongoing authorization or credential compromise. The impact extends beyond simple file theft to potential data exfiltration and intellectual property loss, particularly when the plugin is used to distribute premium content, software packages, or confidential documents. Security teams face increased risk of unauthorized access to proprietary materials, user data, or business-critical resources that should remain protected through proper authentication mechanisms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration and improper session binding in security token management. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to perform privilege escalation through token reuse and enables persistent unauthorized access patterns. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts obtained through credential theft or exploitation of weak access control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate upgrading to version 3.3.62 or later where the plugin properly implements session binding and time-based token expiration. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring for unusual download patterns and consider implementing rate limiting on download requests to detect potential abuse. Network security controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and block suspicious access patterns, while regular security audits should verify that temporary tokens are properly managed with appropriate lifetime constraints and session binding mechanisms.