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CVE-2026-12277 – Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion Leading to Full Site Takeover – Frontend…

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Summary

CVE-2026-12277 is a high-severity unauthenticated arbitrary file deletion vulnerability in the Frontend File Manager Plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions through 23.6, with a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.7. The flaw allows unauthenticated, network-based attackers to delete any file on the server — including WordPress’s critical configuration file wp-config.php — when the plugin’s guest upload mode is enabled. Deleting wp-config.php forces the WordPress installation wizard to relaunch, which an attacker can exploit to achieve full site takeover.

Technical details

  • Root cause: The plugin fails to validate file paths derived from user input before processing file deletion requests (CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path). Saved file metadata paths are not sanitized, allowing path traversal to arbitrary server-side locations outside the intended upload directory.
  • Trigger conditions: Guest upload mode must be enabled in the plugin’s settings — a non-default configuration. No authentication or user interaction is required to trigger the vulnerability.
  • Attack vector: An unauthenticated remote attacker sends a crafted HTTP request containing a user-supplied file path referencing an arbitrary file on the server. The plugin passes this path directly to a deletion operation without validation.
  • Impact: Arbitrary deletion of server-side files. When wp-config.php is deleted, WordPress loses its database configuration and immediately enters its setup wizard. An attacker can then supply attacker-controlled database credentials, resulting in complete administrative takeover of the site. The CVSS vector reflects changed scope (S:C) with high integrity and availability impact (I:H, A:H).

Affected software

  • Frontend File Manager Plugin for WordPress, all versions through 23.6

Severity

CVSS v3.1 base score: 8.7 (High)
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • No patch is currently available. The plugin has been closed on WordPress.org as of May 27, 2026, pending a full security review, and no fixed version has been released.
  • Immediate workaround: Disable the guest upload mode feature in the plugin’s settings to eliminate the unauthenticated attack surface.
  • Strongly recommended: Deactivate and remove the plugin entirely until a patched version becomes available.
  • Network mitigation: Restrict unauthenticated HTTP access to WordPress file management endpoints at the network perimeter or via a Web Application Firewall (WAF).
  • Monitor for unexpected deletion of wp-config.php or any unexpected triggering of the WordPress installation wizard, which may indicate active exploitation.

IONIX Status

The IONIX research team is tracking ongoing exploitation attempts and recommends immediate patching. Potentially affected assets are outlined in this post.

References

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