CVE-2026-9282: CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in boldgrid W3 Total Cache
The W3 Total Cache plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.9.4 via the setupSources function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information. Exploitation requires enabling manual minify mode and supplying a manual-format minify filename so that the hash is empty and the f_array[] entries are not overwritten before reaching setupSources().
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-9282 is a directory traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to 2.9.4. The vulnerability arises in the setupSources function when manual minify mode is enabled and a manual-format minify filename is crafted such that the hash is empty and the f_array[] entries are not overwritten before reaching the vulnerable function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive data. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), indicating high impact on confidentiality without affecting integrity or availability. No vendor advisory or patch is currently available, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary files on the server hosting the vulnerable W3 Total Cache plugin. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information, potentially compromising confidentiality. The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability directly. Exploitation requires enabling manual minify mode and supplying a crafted filename to trigger the directory traversal.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, it is recommended to disable manual minify mode in W3 Total Cache to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Monitor vendor communications for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
CVE-2026-9282: CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in boldgrid W3 Total Cache
Description
The W3 Total Cache plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Directory Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.9.4 via the setupSources function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information. Exploitation requires enabling manual minify mode and supplying a manual-format minify filename so that the hash is empty and the f_array[] entries are not overwritten before reaching setupSources().
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.5high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-9282 is a directory traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to 2.9.4. The vulnerability arises in the setupSources function when manual minify mode is enabled and a manual-format minify filename is crafted such that the hash is empty and the f_array[] entries are not overwritten before reaching the vulnerable function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive data. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N), indicating high impact on confidentiality without affecting integrity or availability. No vendor advisory or patch is currently available, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported.
Potential Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to read arbitrary files on the server hosting the vulnerable W3 Total Cache plugin. This can lead to disclosure of sensitive information, potentially compromising confidentiality. The vulnerability does not impact integrity or availability directly. Exploitation requires enabling manual minify mode and supplying a crafted filename to trigger the directory traversal.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, it is recommended to disable manual minify mode in W3 Total Cache to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Monitor vendor communications for updates and apply patches promptly once available.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-22T14:24:54.137Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a51ee4f68715ace435f5635
Added to database: 07/11/2026, 07:18:39 UTC
Last enriched: 07/18/2026, 15:12:31 UTC
Last updated: 08/24/2026, 22:52:14 UTC
Views: 143
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