WordPress security changelog
MEDIUM CVE-2025-13972 Deferred

WatchTowerHQ: Filesystem traversal

WatchTowerHQ is affected by filesystem traversal. Exploitation requires at least administrator-level access. A crafted path can escape the intended directory and reach files or directories elsewhere on the server.

CVE / CNA score 4.9 CVSS 3.1 · security@wordfence.com
NVD score Pending NVD has not published its own CVSS assessment.
Component
WatchTowerHQ
Plugin slug
watchtowerhq
Affected
See vendor advisory
Safe version
See mitigation notes
Published
Dec 12, 2025
Weakness
CWE-22 — Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

This CVE was published Dec 12, 2025 and is one of 5 known issues for this plugin.

Update, patch or deactivate.

Update WatchTowerHQ to a release outside the affected range, or disable and remove it until a fixed version is available.

No confirmed safe version is listed. Consider a vendor-supported patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality while you assess the risk.

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 WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file read via the 'wht_download_big_object_origin' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.16.0. This is due to insufficient path validation in the handle_big_object_download_request function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and a valid access token, to read arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information such as database credentials and authentication keys.

CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Primary and upstream sources