Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects the Ajax Load More WordPress plugin up to version 5.5.3. A logged-in administrator could abuse a directory traversal flaw to read arbitrary server files, potentially exposing secrets. It is not a broad unauthenticated internet attack based on the supplied evidence.
Executive priority
Handle in the next routine WordPress maintenance window, faster for sites with many admins, shared hosting, or suspected admin compromise. The main business risk is sensitive file disclosure, not direct takeover from an unauthenticated user.
Technical view
CVE-2022-2945 is a CWE-22 directory traversal issue in alm_get_layout(), reachable through the type parameter. Sources describe exploitation as requiring authenticated administrative permissions. CVSS 3.1 is 4.9, reflecting low attack complexity but high privileges and confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Ajax Load More versions up to and including 5.5.3, especially where many administrators exist or admin accounts may be compromised.
Exploitation context
The supplied bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. A public gist reference exists, so defenders should treat details as publicly known without assuming active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The key constraint is privileges: sources specify authenticated attackers with administrative permissions. Validate version exposure and access control before escalation. The affected metadata is sparse, so rely on the narrative version range and vendor-linked references.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade Ajax Load More beyond 5.5.3; version 5.5.4 is referenced in the sources.
- Check the plugin vendor and WordPress plugin page for current fixed-version guidance.
- Reduce and audit WordPress administrator accounts.
- Rotate exposed secrets if server-side file disclosure is suspected.
- Review filesystem permissions so web processes cannot read unnecessary sensitive files.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites using Ajax Load More.
- Confirm installed plugin versions are later than 5.5.3.
- Review administrator accounts for unnecessary or suspicious access.
- Check WordPress and server logs for unusual administrative activity.
- Document exceptions where upgrade is blocked and track vendor guidance.
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-2022-2945 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
- 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
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:U/C:H/I:N/A:N1.23.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.9MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8957413c-95e0-49c8-ba8a-02b9b5141e08?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.svn.wordpress.org/ajax-load-more/tags/5.5.4/README.txtCVE reference
- https://gist.github.com/Xib3rR4dAr/f9a4b4838154854ec6cde7d5deb76bf9CVE reference
- https://www.wordfence.com/vulnerability-advisories/#CVE-2022-2945CVE reference
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.