What is CVE-2022-2431?

CVE-2022-2431 is a high-severity vulnerability in Download-Manager Download Manager, classified under External Control of File Name or Path. CVSS score: 8.1/10. Published 2022-09-06.

How severe is CVE-2022-2431?

High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.1 out of 10.

Is CVE-2022-2431 known to be exploited?

2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

Vulnerability in Download-Manager Download Manager

CVE-2022-2431

The Download Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to, and including 3.2.50. This is due to insufficient file type and path validation on the deleteFiles() function found in the ~/Admin/Menu/Packages.php file that triggers upon download post deletion. This makes it possible for contributor level users and above to supply an arbitrary file path via the 'file[files]' parameter when creating a download post and once the user deletes the post the supplied arbitrary file will be deleted. This can be used by attackers to delete the /wp-config.php file which will reset the installation and make it possible for an attacker to achieve remote code execution on the server.

Published 2022-09-06 · last modified 2026-06-17.

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 8.1 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

EPSS: 0.038 (89.7th percentile), scored 2026-09-30.

Low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days, but still tracked. 90th percentile — 89.7% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.

EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.028 · newest: 0.038 · change: +0.010

Affected products

Download-Manager Download Manager — versions 3.2.50
W3eden Download Manager

Weakness classification (CWE)

Public proof-of-concept exploits

References

plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset (Patch, Third Party Advisory)
packetstormsecurity.com/files/167920/wpdownloadmanager3250-filedelete.txt (VDB Entry, Third Party Advisory)
www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/08/high-severity-vulnerability-patched-in-download-… (Exploit, Third Party Advisory)

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-2431?: CVE-2022-2431 is a high-severity vulnerability in Download-Manager Download Manager, classified under External Control of File Name or Path. CVSS score: 8.1/10. Published 2022-09-06.
How severe is CVE-2022-2431?: High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.1 out of 10.
Is CVE-2022-2431 known to be exploited?: 2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.