CVE-2026-5436 HIGH

CVE-2026-5436: MW WP Form <= 5.1.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Move via regenerate_upload_file_keys

Vendor Inc2734
Product MW WP Form
Weakness CWE-22 · Path traversal
Published April 8, 2026
Last update April 10, 2026

CVSS base score

8.1/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity High
Privileges required None
User interaction None
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What the vulnerability does

01Description

The MW WP Form plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Move/Read in all versions up to and including 5.1.1. This is due to insufficient validation of the $name parameter (upload field key) passed to the generate_user_file_dirpath() function, which uses WordPress's path_join() — a function that returns absolute paths unchanged, discarding the intended base directory. The attacker-controlled key is injected via the mwf_upload_files[] POST parameter, which is loaded into the plugin's Data model via _set_request_valiables(). During form processing, regenerate_upload_file_keys() iterates over these keys and calls generate_user_filepath() with the attacker-supplied key as the $name argument — the key survives validation because the targeted file (e.g., wp-config.php) genuinely exists at the absolute path. The _get_attachments() method then re-reads the same surviving keys and passes the resolved file path to move_temp_file_to_upload_dir(), which calls rename() to move the file into the uploads folder. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to move arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is moved (such as wp-config.php). The vulnerability is only exploitable if a file upload field is added to the form and the “Saving inquiry data in database” option is enabled.

Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms

02Summary

MW WP Form versions up to 5.1.1 contain a path traversal vulnerability that allows an attacker to read, write, or delete files on the server. The vulnerability requires specific network conditions to exploit but does not require authentication or user interaction. Site administrators should update to a version newer than 5.1.1 immediately.

What an attacker can do

03Attacker Capabilities

Read, write, or delete files on the server outside the intended directory.

Potential impact on your site

04Site Impact

Attackers can access sensitive files, modify site content, or delete critical data without logging in.

Conditions required to exploit

05Prerequisites

Network access to the site; specific attack complexity conditions must be met.

Key dates

06Disclosure timeline

April 8, 2026 CVE published
April 10, 2026 Record updated