Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A WordPress site using Download Monitor 4.4.6 or earlier could let an authenticated administrator download arbitrary server files, including sensitive configuration files. This is mainly a confidentiality risk. It is most serious where admin accounts are shared, weakly controlled, or already compromised.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority confidentiality issue. It is not described as unauthenticated or actively exploited, but it can expose credentials and configuration secrets if an admin account is abused. Prioritize internet-facing WordPress sites and environments with weak admin governance.
Technical view
CVE-2021-31567 is an authenticated arbitrary file download issue in the Download Monitor WordPress plugin up to 4.4.6. The source describes abuse of downloadable_file_urls[0] to retrieve files such as wp-config.php and potentially files outside the web root. CVSS 3.1 is 6.8 with high confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress deployments with Download Monitor 4.4.6 or earlier and an authenticated admin-level user. Public unauthenticated exposure is not supported by the provided sources. Shared admin access, compromised administrator credentials, or untrusted site operators increase practical risk.
Exploitation context
The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. The issue requires high privileges but can reveal secrets that may support further compromise. Evidence is incomplete on real-world exploitation, fixed version details, and vendor-specific mitigation beyond checking official plugin guidance.
Researcher notes
Sources identify CWE-200 and CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N. The affected range is described as Download Monitor <=4.4.6. Do not assume unauthenticated exploitability or a specific fixed version without confirming vendor records.
Mitigation direction
- Identify WordPress sites using Download Monitor and record installed versions.
- Review vendor changelog and Patchstack guidance for fixed or supported versions.
- Update the plugin to a vendor-supported release if affected.
- Disable or remove the plugin where it is not business-critical.
- Restrict administrator access and review shared or stale admin accounts.
- Rotate exposed secrets if sensitive files may have been downloaded.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Download Monitor version is 4.4.6 or earlier.
- Review admin user inventory for unnecessary privileged accounts.
- Check WordPress and server logs for unusual download configuration activity.
- Look for unexpected access to sensitive configuration files.
- Verify plugin update or removal on all affected WordPress sites.
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-200: Information exposure and cloud metadata lookup
Information exposure and SSRF weaknesses can make discovery, cloud metadata, and credential material review relevant. 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-2021-31567 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
- Medium
- CVSS
- 6.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A: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
1 official scoreWe 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:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N2.34Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
6.8MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/download-monitor/#developersCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/WPChill/download-monitor/blob/master/changelog.txtCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/download-monitor/wordpress-download-monitor-plugin-4-4-6-authenticated-arbitrary-file-download-vulnerabilityCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
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.
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.