Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A WordPress File Manager Pro flaw allowed any logged-in user with Subscriber-level access or higher to upload files in a way that could lead to server code execution. The vendor fixed this in version 8.3.5 by adding a capability check.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority WordPress exposure because successful abuse can become server code execution. Patch urgently where the plugin is installed, especially on sites allowing user registration or many low-privilege users.
Technical view
CVE-2023-6846 affects File Manager Pro versions up to and including 8.3.4 via the mk_check_filemanager_php_syntax AJAX function. Missing authorization allowed low-privileged authenticated users to reach arbitrary file upload behavior, mapped to CWE-94 with CVSS 8.8.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running File Manager Pro <= 8.3.4 where attackers can authenticate as Subscriber or above. Risk increases with open registration, weak account hygiene, or compromised low-privilege accounts.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. A public gist is referenced, which may indicate public technical detail exists, but the provided evidence does not prove in-the-wild exploitation.
Researcher notes
Key factors are authenticated low privilege, no user interaction, network reachability, and full CIA impact. The affected metadata is sparse, so validate against installed plugin name and version rather than relying only on CPE matching.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade File Manager Pro to version 8.3.5 or later.
- Disable or remove the plugin until updated if immediate patching is impossible.
- Restrict public registration and review low-privilege WordPress accounts.
- Check vendor and Wordfence guidance for any additional remediation.
- Review recent uploads and server-side file changes for suspicious activity.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for File Manager Pro installations and versions.
- Confirm no production site runs File Manager Pro <= 8.3.4.
- Verify Subscriber-level users cannot access the affected AJAX function after updating.
- Review web, WordPress, and file integrity logs for unusual upload activity.
- Audit recently created or modified low-privilege user accounts.
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-94: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process 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-2023-6846 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
- 8.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
8.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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 Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.