CVE-2026-39754 in Addons for Elementor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
Contributor Arbitrary File Download in Piotnet Addons For Elementor <= 7.1.71 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2026
The vulnerability identified as Contributor Arbitrary File Download within the Piotnet Addons for Elementor plugin, affecting versions up to and including 7.1.71, represents a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive files on the hosting server. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper authorization checks in the plugin's handling of file download requests. Specifically, the vulnerability arises when the application processes user-supplied parameters intended for retrieving specific assets or templates without adequately verifying whether the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to view those resources. By manipulating these parameters, an attacker can traverse directory structures to access files outside of the designated public directories, potentially exposing configuration files, source code, database credentials, and other sensitive data stored on the web server.
From a technical perspective, this flaw is classified under CWE-284, which covers Improper Access Control, as well as CWE-59, which relates to Improper Link Resolution Before File Upload or Rename, often manifesting in directory traversal scenarios where path normalization fails to prevent access to restricted paths. The exploitation mechanism typically involves injecting relative or absolute path sequences into the file parameter of a download endpoint exposed by the plugin. Because the application does not strictly enforce that the requested file resides within an allowed base directory, it proceeds with serving the content regardless of its actual location on the filesystem. This lack of strict boundary enforcement allows low-privileged users, such as contributors or subscribers in WordPress environments, to bypass intended access restrictions and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's root directory or other protected locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly for websites that store sensitive information within accessible directories. Attackers can exploit this flaw to download wp-config.php files, which often contain database connection strings including usernames and passwords, thereby facilitating further compromise such as SQL injection attacks or full site takeover. Additionally, the ability to read arbitrary source code may reveal proprietary logic, API keys, or internal network configurations that could be leveraged for more sophisticated multi-stage attacks. The existence of this vulnerability undermines the integrity and confidentiality guarantees expected from web applications, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory non-compliance under standards like GDPR or HIPAA if personal data is exposed, and significant reputational damage to the organization hosting the affected site.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates. Administrators should upgrade Piotnet Addons for Elementor to version 7.1.72 or later, where this issue has been addressed by implementing stricter file path validation and enforcing role-based access controls on download endpoints. In cases where updating is not immediately feasible, temporary mitigations include restricting write permissions to the plugin directory via web server configuration rules such as .htaccess files in Apache environments to prevent modification of vulnerable scripts, although this does not directly block read access if the vulnerability persists. Furthermore, implementing a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block requests containing path traversal sequences like ../ or encoded variations thereof. Regular security audits and penetration testing are recommended to identify similar weaknesses across other plugins and themes installed on the WordPress instance, ensuring a holistic approach to application security aligned with industry best practices such as those outlined in OWASP guidelines for input validation and access control.