Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall: Filesystem traversal
Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall is affected by filesystem traversal. The vulnerable path is reachable without authentication. A crafted path can escape the intended directory and reach files or directories elsewhere on the server. The published affected range is <= 4.20.72.
- Component
- Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall
- Affected
- <= 4.20.72
- Safe version
> 4.20.72- Published
- May 16, 2026
This CVE was published May 16, 2026 and is one of 1 known issue for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall to a release after 4.20.72, or disable and remove it until a fixed version is available.
A safe version is available, so updating to that version or later is the preferred remediation. If an immediate update is not practical, consider a targeted application patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
WordPress Plugin Anti-Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall 4.20.59 contains a directory traversal vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files by manipulating the file parameter. Attackers can send requests to the duplicator_download action via admin-ajax.php with path traversal sequences to access sensitive system files outside the intended directory.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X