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CVE-2026-15991 — The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to…

Key facts

CVE-2026-15991 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab.
CVE CVE-2026-15991
Severity High (8.8)
Detection / prevention —
PoC poc.py
Source 2026/CVE-2026-15991/

Details

English | 한국어

Description

The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the connector function in all versions from 6.0 - 6.9. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to read and delete arbitrary files on the server, which can lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php). The bypass is triggered by passing cmd=rm or cmf=file in the URL query string of a POST request: elFinder's bind registration reads the command exclusively from $_POST and therefore never registers the rm.pre permission handler, while the dispatcher reads from the merged $_GET+$_POST superglobal and executes the rm or file command unchecked against a volume that defaults to ABSPATH.

Vulnerability Details

Property Value
CVE ID CVE-2026-15991
Type RCE
CVSS Score 8.8

Proof of Concept

Download

# Download PoC script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/fankh/vulnerability-poc/main/2026/CVE-2026-15991/poc.py

Usage

# Run PoC against target
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL>

# With authentication
python3 poc.py --target <TARGET_URL> --username <USER> --password <PASS>

⚠️ Warning: This PoC is for authorized security testing only. It uses detection-only techniques and does not exploit or damage target systems.

Test Lab

This repository includes a Docker-based test environment with both vulnerable and patched applications.

Quick Start

# Clone and navigate to CVE directory
cd CVE-2026-15991

# Start both applications
docker-compose up -d

# Run tests
./run-tests.sh    # Linux/Mac
./run-tests.ps1   # Windows PowerShell

Application Endpoints

Application URL Status
Vulnerable App http://localhost:8080 Shows vulnerability
Patched App http://localhost:8081 Demonstrates fix

Directory Structure

├── README.md           # English documentation
├── README_KO.md        # Korean documentation
├── poc.py              # PoC detection script
├── docker-compose.yml  # Container orchestration
├── run-tests.sh        # Linux/Mac test runner
├── run-tests.ps1       # Windows test runner
├── vulnerable-app/     # Vulnerable version
│   ├── app.py
│   ├── Dockerfile
│   └── requirements.txt
└── patched-app/        # Fixed version
    ├── app.py
    ├── Dockerfile
    └── requirements.txt

References

  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/backend/app/Http/Controllers/FileManagerController.php#L32
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/backend/app/Http/Controllers/FileManagerController.php#L34
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/backend/app/Providers/AccessControlProvider.php#L121
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/backend/hooks/ajax.php#L10
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/vendor/studio-42/elfinder/php/elFinder.class.php#L802
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/file-manager/tags/6.9/vendor/studio-42/elfinder/php/elFinderConnector.class.php#L320
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3632660/file-manager/trunk/backend/app/Http/Controllers/FileManagerController.php
  • https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?old_path=%2Ffile-manager/tags/6.9&new_path=%2Ffile-manager/tags/6.9.1
  • https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a041f15c-0e30-459b-8df7-0465c0bc268a?source=cve

Generated by PoC Generator on 2026-08-09T00:39:17.169569594

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-15991?

CVE-2026-15991 is a High (8.8) vulnerability: The File Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to…. This entry ships a detection-only PoC and a Docker test lab.

How do I detect CVE-2026-15991?

Run the detection-only PoC included with this entry against your Docker test lab to confirm whether a target is affected; pair it with your own IDS logging.

How do I block or mitigate CVE-2026-15991?

Upgrade to a fixed version per the vendor advisory; the NVD record lists the affected versions. Use the included PoC to verify your remediation.

For authorized security testing and research only. See the full source and NVD record.