Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-35235 affects the WordPress WPide plugin through version 2.6. A WordPress administrator could read arbitrary files from the server, which may expose secrets, configuration, or customer data. The risk is moderated by the need for admin-level access, but compromise or misuse of an admin account could turn this into a serious confidentiality issue.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted confidentiality risk, not a broad unauthenticated emergency. Prioritize remediation on externally hosted or data-sensitive WordPress sites, especially where admin account security is uncertain.
Technical view
The issue is an authenticated arbitrary file read in XplodedThemes WPIDE - File Manager & Code Editor for WordPress, versions <= 2.6. CVSS 3.1 is 4.9 with high confidentiality impact and no integrity or availability impact. The source bundle maps it to CWE-22 and CWE-552.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running WPide <= 2.6, especially where multiple administrators exist or admin accounts are weakly protected. Sites without the plugin, or with versions outside the affected range, are not evidenced as affected by the supplied sources.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. Exploitation requires authenticated admin-level access, so the main concern is malicious insiders or attackers who already obtained a WordPress administrator account.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports authenticated admin-plus arbitrary file read only for WPide <= 2.6. Do not assume unauthenticated reachability, code execution, or active exploitation from the supplied data. Fixed-version details are not provided in the source bundle, so verify current vendor status before closure.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the WPide plugin and record installed versions.
- Check Patchstack and the WordPress plugin page for current vendor guidance or a fixed release.
- Disable or remove WPide where it is not operationally required.
- Restrict WordPress administrator access to trusted users only.
- Enforce strong authentication controls for WordPress administrator accounts.
- Review sensitive configuration and secret exposure if suspicious admin activity is found.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether WPide is installed on each WordPress site.
- Confirm installed WPide versions are not <= 2.6.
- Review administrator accounts for unnecessary or stale privileged users.
- Check WordPress and server logs for unusual file access by administrators.
- Document affected sites, remediation status, and any residual exception.
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 lookupCWE-552: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. 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-2022-35235 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://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wpide/wordpress-wpide-plugin-2-6-authenticated-arbitrary-file-read-vulnerabilityCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpide/#developersCVE 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.
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.
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties
Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.