Prime Mover: Path traversal and arbitrary directory deletion
The Prime Mover plugin for WordPress before 2.2.1 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to delete arbitrary directories by importing a crafted WPRIME/TAR package with manipulated tar_root_folder values in wprime-config.json. Attackers can exploit insufficient path validation in computeExtractVariables() and validateImportedSiteVsPackage() to cause primeMoverDoDelete() to remove directories outside the intended extraction path, potentially deleting critical WordPress directories such as wp-admin and rendering the site inoperable. The disclosed attack requires an administrator account and a crafted migration package. The authoritative export identifies the fixed release as 2.2.1.
- Component
- Prime Mover
- Plugin slug
prime-mover- Affected
- < 2.2.1
- Safe version
2.2.1- Published
- Oct 01, 2026
This CVE was published Oct 01, 2026 and is one of 5 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update Prime Mover to 2.2.1 or a later supported release. Canonicalize tar_root_folder and enforce containment within the intended extraction root before validation or deletion. Reject traversal and never pass an unchecked package path to recursive deletion.
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
The Prime Mover plugin for WordPress before 2.2.1 contains a path traversal vulnerability that allows authenticated administrators to delete arbitrary directories by importing a crafted WPRIME/TAR package with manipulated tar_root_folder values in wprime-config.json. Attackers can exploit insufficient path validation in computeExtractVariables() and validateImportedSiteVsPackage() to cause primeMoverDoDelete() to remove directories outside the intended extraction path, potentially deleting critical WordPress directories such as wp-admin and rendering the site inoperable.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:H/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