Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
ARForms for WordPress had a path traversal flaw before version 7.0.2. A logged-in attacker with low privileges could potentially read files the site should not expose. This is mainly a confidentiality risk, but exposed configuration files can support later compromise.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation on internet-facing WordPress sites using ARForms, especially those allowing subscriber logins. Treat this as a high-priority confidentiality issue rather than confirmed ransomware-grade exploitation.
Technical view
CVE-2024-54216 is CWE-35 path traversal in reputeinfosystems ARForms before 7.0.2. CVSS 3.1 is 7.7: network reachable, low attack complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, changed scope, high confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact.
Likely exposure
Likely exposure is WordPress sites running ARForms below 7.0.2. Risk is higher where untrusted users can authenticate, because the CVSS vector requires low privileges. The source bundle does not identify other affected products or CPEs.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Patchstack’s reference labels this as a subscriber arbitrary file read issue, consistent with low-privilege confidentiality impact. No exploit details are included here.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Patchstack reference in the bundle. The exact vulnerable parameter, file scope, and vendor advisory details are not provided, so validation should avoid assumptions beyond version and authentication exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Update ARForms to version 7.0.2 or later.
- If immediate updating is impossible, disable ARForms until vendor guidance is followed.
- Limit or review untrusted low-privilege WordPress accounts.
- Check Patchstack and vendor guidance for any additional remediation.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites using ARForms and record installed versions.
- Flag any ARForms version below 7.0.2 as vulnerable.
- Confirm whether public registration or subscriber accounts are enabled.
- Review access logs for unusual authenticated file-read behavior.
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-35: 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-2024-54216 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
- 7.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/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.
SSVC decision data
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:C/C:H/I:N/A:N3.14PatchstackVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.7HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/arforms/vulnerability/wordpress-arforms-plugin-6-4-1-subscriber-arbitrary-file-read-vulnerability?_s_id=cveCVE reference, Patchstack · vdb-entry
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.
Path Traversal: '.../...//'
Path Traversal: '.../...//' represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.