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CVE-2026-16616 – Unauthenticated Path Traversal / Arbitrary File Read & Move – Simple File List

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Summary

CVE-2026-16616 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in the Simple File List WordPress plugin, affecting all versions through 6.3.11. The plugin’s file-move functionality fails to validate the source path supplied by unauthenticated requests, allowing attackers to read sensitive files and relocate arbitrary files outside the web root. The flaw has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.6 (High) and requires no authentication or user interaction.

Technical details

  • Root cause: The plugin’s file-move operation does not validate the source path parameter before performing the move, permitting path traversal sequences.
  • Trigger conditions: The vulnerable endpoint is reachable without authentication, so any unauthenticated visitor can invoke the file-move operation.
  • Attack vector: Network-based (AV:N), low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required.
  • Impact: High confidentiality impact — attackers can read arbitrary files on the server and move critical files outside the web root, potentially exposing sensitive data (e.g., configuration files) and enabling further site compromise. No direct integrity or availability impact per the CVSS vector, though downstream consequences (site takeover) are possible depending on what files are exposed or moved.

Affected software

  • Simple File List WordPress plugin: all versions through 6.3.11 (versions 0–6.3.11)

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 Base Score: 8.6 (High)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: No patched version has been published for this vulnerability; the plugin was closed on the WordPress.org plugin directory (as of July 23, 2026, pending review), and the last available release remains 6.3.11.
  • Recommended action: Deactivate and remove the Simple File List plugin from affected WordPress sites until a vetted, patched release is available. Sites that cannot remove the plugin immediately should restrict external access to the plugin’s file-management endpoints (e.g., via web server or WAF rules blocking path-traversal sequences such as ../ in requests to the plugin) and audit web-root files for unauthorized moves or exposure.
  • Review server logs for unauthenticated requests to the plugin’s file-move endpoint and rotate any credentials or secrets stored in files that may have been exposed.

References

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