CVE-2026-1793 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-22, found in the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress, specifically in the 'render_svg' function used by the SVG widget. This vulnerability arises from improper validation of file paths, allowing an authenticated attacker with contributor-level or higher privileges to manipulate the file path input and read arbitrary files on the web server. Since the plugin accepts SVG files and processes them without sufficient sanitization, attackers can craft requests to traverse directories and access sensitive files outside the intended directory scope. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 8.3.17. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5, reflecting a medium severity with a vector indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high confidentiality impact but no integrity or availability impact. Although no public exploits are known, the vulnerability poses a significant risk because contributor-level users are common in WordPress environments, and arbitrary file reads can expose sensitive information such as configuration files, credentials, or private keys. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for organizations relying on WordPress with this plugin installed, as it can lead to data leakage and potential escalation if sensitive files are accessed.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-1793 can be substantial, especially for those using WordPress sites with the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin. Unauthorized file reads can lead to exposure of sensitive data such as database credentials, API keys, configuration files, or personal data protected under GDPR. This data leakage can result in compliance violations, reputational damage, and potential financial penalties. Since contributor-level access is sufficient for exploitation, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to server files. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but compromises confidentiality, which can be a stepping stone for further attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement. Organizations hosting customer-facing websites or handling sensitive information are at higher risk. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the medium severity score indicates that the threat should not be underestimated.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately audit WordPress user roles and restrict contributor-level access to trusted users only, minimizing the attack surface. 2) Monitor and log file access patterns on web servers to detect unusual file read activities, especially targeting sensitive directories. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting the SVG widget or related plugin endpoints. 4) Disable or remove the Element Pack Addons for Elementor plugin if it is not essential, or replace it with a secure alternative. 5) Regularly update the plugin once the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 6) Conduct security awareness training for administrators and contributors about the risks of privilege misuse. 7) Implement file system permissions to restrict the web server’s access to sensitive files, limiting the impact of arbitrary file reads. 8) Use security plugins that can detect and alert on suspicious plugin behavior or unauthorized file access attempts.