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CVE-2026-9282 – Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read – W3 Total Cache WordPress Plugin ≤ 2.9.4

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Summary

CVE-2026-9282 is a high-severity Directory Traversal vulnerability in the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin (by BoldGrid), affecting all versions up to and including 2.9.4. The flaw resides in the setupSources function and allows unauthenticated remote attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 (HIGH). With over 900,000 active installations, the plugin represents a significant attack surface across the WordPress ecosystem.

Technical details

  • Root cause: Insufficient path validation in the setupSources function within the plugin’s minification subsystem fails to restrict traversal sequences, allowing an attacker to escape the intended directory boundary and reference arbitrary server files.
  • Trigger conditions: Exploitation requires manual minify mode to be enabled, a manual-format minify filename to be supplied with an empty hash, and the f_array[] entries to remain unmodified before execution reaches setupSources().
  • Attack vector: Fully remote and unauthenticated — no credentials or user interaction are required (CVSS: AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N).
  • Impact: An attacker can read the contents of arbitrary files on the underlying server. High-value targets include wp-config.php, which stores database credentials and WordPress secret keys.

Affected software

  • W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin, all versions up to and including 2.9.4

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 base score: 7.5 (HIGH)
  • Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Update the W3 Total Cache plugin to version 2.10.1, the latest available release as of July 2026.
  • If immediate patching is not possible: Disable manual minify mode in the plugin’s performance settings to eliminate the primary prerequisite for 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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Map your entire attack surface (continously)

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