Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects WordPress sites using Apptha Mac Photo Gallery 3.0. An unauthenticated attacker could download sensitive server files outside the plugin directory, potentially exposing WordPress configuration or application secrets. The bundle does not identify a patched version or vendor remediation.
Executive priority
Prioritize within the next patch cycle for any public WordPress site using this plugin, and escalate faster if logs show suspicious access. The business risk is disclosure of configuration data or secrets that could support broader compromise.
Technical view
CVE-2017-20250 is a CWE-22 path traversal issue in Mac Photo Gallery 3.0. The vulnerable download handler macdownload.php trusts the albid parameter, allowing arbitrary file download outside the intended plugin path. CVSS 4.0 score is 8.7 with network attack, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to WordPress deployments running Apptha Mac Photo Gallery version 3.0. The highest risk is on public WordPress sites where the vulnerable plugin endpoint is reachable without authentication. The source bundle does not list other products or versions.
Exploitation context
The bundle cites a public ExploitDB entry, so exploit information exists publicly. It is not listed in CISA KEV, and the provided sources do not state active exploitation in the wild. Treat as plausible opportunistic risk for exposed WordPress sites.
Researcher notes
The key evidence is the vulnerable unauthenticated download flow in Mac Photo Gallery 3.0 and the public ExploitDB reference. Sources do not name a patch, affected version range beyond 3.0, or confirmed exploitation, so those points should remain qualified.
Mitigation direction
- Identify and prioritize WordPress sites running Mac Photo Gallery 3.0.
- Check Apptha or trusted advisory guidance for a fixed version or official remediation.
- Remove or replace the plugin if no supported fix is available.
- Restrict public access to the vulnerable plugin endpoint where operationally feasible.
- Review backups and secret rotation plans if sensitive files may have been exposed.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress plugins and confirm whether Mac Photo Gallery 3.0 is installed.
- Verify whether macdownload.php is reachable on public WordPress hosts.
- Review web logs for suspicious requests targeting macdownload.php.
- Check for evidence of sensitive file access or unexpected downloads.
- Document affected hosts, plugin version, exposure status, and remediation decision.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-20250 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.7 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N——VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N3.93.6VulnCheckVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
8.7HighVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-41566CVE reference, VulnCheck · exploit
- Official Product HomepageCVE reference, VulnCheck · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: WordPress Plugin Mac Photo Gallery 3.0 Arbitrary File DownloadCVE reference, VulnCheck · third-party-advisory
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.