What the vulnerability does
01Description
The Breaking News WP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.3. This is due to the brnwp_ajax_form AJAX endpoint lacking both authorization checks and CSRF verification, combined with insufficient path validation when the brnwp_theme option value is passed directly to an include() statement in the brnwp_show_breaking_news_wp() shortcode handler. While sanitize_text_field() is applied to user input, it does not strip directory traversal sequences (../). This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to overwrite the brnwp_theme option with a directory traversal payload (e.g., ../../../../etc/passwd) and subsequently trigger file inclusion of arbitrary files on the server when the shortcode is rendered.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
Breaking News WP versions 1.3 and earlier contain a path traversal vulnerability that allows authenticated users to read arbitrary files from the server. An attacker with low-level site access can bypass directory restrictions and access sensitive files outside the intended application directory. This could expose configuration files, database credentials, or other private data stored on the server.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Read arbitrary files from the server, including sensitive configuration and credential files.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Sensitive server files and credentials may be exposed to any user with basic site access, risking data breach.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have a low-privilege authenticated account on the site (e.g., subscriber or contributor role).
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
April 22, 2026
CVE published
April 23, 2026
Record updated
