Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-39163 affects the WordPress Phlox Shop plugin through version 2.0.0. An unauthenticated attacker may be able to include local PHP files through a path traversal weakness, risking sensitive data exposure and some site impact. The bundle does not show active exploitation or a named fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority WordPress plugin exposure check. Prioritize public-facing WordPress sites, confirm whether the plugin is present, and remove, disable, or update based on vendor guidance.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-22 path traversal leading to PHP local file inclusion in Averta Phlox Shop. CVSS 3.1 is 8.6: network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high confidentiality impact and low integrity and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites with Phlox Shop installed and enabled at version 2.0.0 or earlier. The bundle provides no CPEs and lists default status as unaffected, so asset validation is necessary before assuming impact.
Exploitation context
The provided CVE data marks KEV as false, and no cited source in the bundle states active exploitation. The technical conditions are still serious because the vulnerability is unauthenticated, remotely reachable, and low complexity if the plugin is exposed.
Researcher notes
Patchstack’s reference URL uses the auxin-shop path while the CVE names Averta Phlox Shop. Verify plugin identity carefully during inventory. Evidence supports unauthenticated LFI through version 2.0.0, but the bundle does not provide a patch version, exploit details, or active exploitation confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for Phlox Shop version 2.0.0 or earlier.
- Check Averta and Patchstack guidance for a fixed release or official mitigation.
- Disable or remove the plugin where it is not business-critical.
- Update to an official fixed version if one is identified by the vendor.
- Increase monitoring for suspicious file inclusion or traversal attempts.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Phlox Shop is installed and enabled on each WordPress site.
- Record the installed plugin version from WordPress administration or filesystem inventory.
- Review Patchstack and vendor sources for remediation status before closing the finding.
- Check web and security logs for unusual local file access patterns.
- Avoid exploit testing against production systems without authorization.
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-2023-39163 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
- 8.6 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L3.94.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.6HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L
Source materials
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.