What the vulnerability does
01Description
The WP Import Export Lite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Server-Side Request Forgery in all versions up to and including 3.9.30 via the wpie_import_upload_file_from_url AJAX action. The plugin's URL downloader first calls wp_safe_remote_get() (which correctly blocks private/reserved IP ranges), but when that call returns a WP_Error — the exact outcome for any blocked internal host — the Download::download_file() method falls back to GuzzleHttp\Client::request() with the original attacker-supplied URL and no SSRF protection (and with TLS verification disabled). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and above, to make web requests to arbitrary locations originating from the web application and can be used to query and modify information from internal services such as the cloud metadata endpoint at 169.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
WP Import Export Lite versions up to 3.9.30 contain a server-side request forgery vulnerability that allows high-privilege users to make the site send HTTP requests to internal or external systems. The vulnerability requires administrator access and does not directly impact confidentiality or availability, but can be used to probe internal infrastructure or interact with restricted services on behalf of the site.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Make the site send HTTP requests to internal systems or external URLs on the attacker's behalf.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
A compromised admin account could use this to probe your internal network, access restricted services, or exfiltrate data via the site's outbound connection.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Administrator access to the WordPress site; no user interaction required.
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
July 3, 2026
CVE published
