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CVE Record

CVE-2022-2943: WordPress Infinite Scroll – Ajax Load More <= 5.5.3 - Authenticated (Admin+) Arbitrary File Read

The WordPress Infinite Scroll – Ajax Load More plugin for Wordpress is vulnerable to arbitrary file reading in versions up to, and including, 5.5.3 due to insufficient file path validation on the alm_repeaters_export() function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrative privileges, to download arbitrary files hosted on the server that may contain sensitive content, such as the wp-config.php file.

MediumCVSS 4.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This CVE affects the WordPress Ajax Load More plugin through version 5.5.3. A WordPress administrator could abuse weak file path validation to download server files, potentially including sensitive configuration files. The risk is limited by requiring admin-level access, but impact can be serious if admin accounts are compromised.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate-priority remediation. It is not listed as known exploited in the provided sources, but compromised admin access could expose database credentials or other sensitive server files.

Technical view

CVE-2022-2943 is a CWE-22 path traversal issue in alm_repeaters_export(). In affected Ajax Load More versions up to 5.5.3, insufficient path validation allows authenticated Admin+ users to read arbitrary files hosted on the server. CVSS 3.1 is 4.9: network reachable, low complexity, high privileges required, confidentiality impact high.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Ajax Load More version 5.5.3 or earlier, where an attacker has administrator privileges or has compromised an admin account.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. A public gist is referenced, but the evidence supplied supports authenticated admin-level arbitrary file read, not unauthenticated mass exploitation.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on plugin version, administrator account integrity, and evidence of arbitrary file reads through the vulnerable export function. Do not assume broader product impact beyond Ajax Load More versions up to 5.5.3 from the supplied evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify WordPress sites using Ajax Load More.
  • Upgrade installations running version 5.5.3 or earlier per vendor guidance.
  • Review WordPress administrator accounts for compromise or unnecessary access.
  • Restrict administrative access with MFA and least privilege.
  • Check server logs for unusual plugin export activity.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory plugin versions across WordPress estates.
  • Confirm no site runs Ajax Load More 5.5.3 or earlier.
  • Verify only trusted users have administrator roles.
  • Review web server and WordPress logs for suspicious file access patterns.
  • Confirm backups and configuration files are not web-accessible.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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 · medium confidence lookup

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.

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description · low confidence lookup

File 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 lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-2943 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.9 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.9CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.9Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-2943Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
dcooneyAjax Load More – Infinite Scroll, Load More, & Lazy Load0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-22

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.