WordPress 2.5.0 cat path traversal

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in WordPress 2.5.0. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing. The manipulation of the argument cat leads to path traversal. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2008-4769. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in WordPress 2.5.0 (Content Management System). It has been rated as critical. This issue affects an unknown function. The manipulation of the argument cat with an unknown input leads to a path traversal vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-22. The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Directory traversal vulnerability in the get_category_template function in wp-includes/theme.php in WordPress 2.3.3 and earlier, and 2.5, allows remote attackers to include and possibly execute arbitrary PHP files via the cat parameter in index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.

The bug was discovered 04/02/2008. The weakness was shared 04/25/2008 by Sandor Attila Gerendi (Website). The advisory is shared at xforce.iss.net. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2008-4769 since 10/27/2008. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. Technical details as well as a public exploit are known. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1006 for this issue.

The exploit is available at exploit-db.com. It is declared as highly functional. We expect the 0-day to have been worth approximately $5k-$25k. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 32080 (WordPress index.php 'cat' Parameter Local File Inclusion), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family CGI abuses and running in the context r. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 116578 (Debian Update for WordPress (DSA-1871-1)).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. A possible mitigation has been published even before and not after the disclosure of the vulnerability. Attack attempts may be identified with Snort ID 15432. In this case the pattern /wordpress/ is used for detection.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (41920), Exploit-DB (31670), Tenable (32080), SecurityFocus (BID 28845†) and OSVDB (44591†). The entries VDB-4018, VDB-41692, VDB-45064 and VDB-44776 are related to this item. Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Path traversal
CWE: CWE-22
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Access: Public
Status: Highly functional
Download: 🔍

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 32080
Nessus Name: WordPress index.php 'cat' Parameter Local File Inclusion
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 64754
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 1871-1 (wordpress)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Exploit-DB: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍
Snort ID: 15432
Snort Message: WEB-PHP wordpress cat parameter arbitrary file execution attempt
Snort Pattern: 🔍

Timelineinfo

04/02/2008 🔍
04/02/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/18/2008 +16 days 🔍
04/18/2008 +0 days 🔍
04/25/2008 +7 days 🔍
04/27/2008 +2 days 🔍
04/29/2008 +1 days 🔍
05/04/2008 +5 days 🔍
05/06/2008 +2 days 🔍
10/27/2008 +174 days 🔍
10/28/2008 +1 days 🔍
12/03/2025 +6245 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Product: wordpress.com

Advisory: 7586
Researcher: Sandor Attila Gerendi
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2008-4769 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2008-4769
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-3689

OVAL: 🔍

X-Force: 41920 - WordPress cat parameter file include, Medium Risk
SecurityFocus: 28845 - WordPress 'cat' Parameter Directory Traversal Vulnerability
Secunia: 29949 - WordPress "cat" Directory Traversal Vulnerability, Moderately Critical
OSVDB: 44591 - WordPress wp-includes/theme.php get_category_template() Function cat Parameter Traversal Local File Inclusion
Vulnerability Center: 18292 - WordPress 2.3.3 and Earlier Remote File Inclusion Vulnerability, High

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013
See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 05/06/2008 10:04
Updated: 12/03/2025 18:08
Changes: 05/06/2008 10:04 (94), 08/09/2019 20:30 (2), 03/16/2021 13:47 (3), 12/03/2025 18:08 (17)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216:45E:103

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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