What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Nex Forms – Ultimate Form Builder – Lite plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion via path traversal in versions up to, and including, 9.2.3. This is due to the delete_file() AJAX handler retrieving a file path from the database and passing it directly to unlink() with no validation (no realpath(), basename(), or allowlist check), combined with the insert_record() AJAX handler that lets the same authenticated user store an arbitrary value in the target 'location' column (wp_kses() only strips HTML tags and does not neutralize path traversal or absolute paths). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with admin-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the affected site's server, including wp-config. When the plugin's user-level option is configured to something else, this may be exploitable with lower privileges.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
NEX-Forms versions up to 9.2.3 contain a path traversal vulnerability that allows authenticated users to read, modify, or delete arbitrary files on the server. An attacker with low-level WordPress access can exploit this flaw to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other protected data outside the intended plugin directory.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Read, modify, or delete arbitrary files on the server outside the plugin directory.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Sensitive files like wp-config.php, database backups, or private keys could be exposed, modified, or deleted.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privilege WordPress user account (e.g., subscriber or contributor role).
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
August 1, 2026
CVE published
August 3, 2026
Record updated
