CVE-2024-44017: Path Traversal in MH Board WordPress Plugin

The Path Traversal vulnerability in MH Board allows an attacker to bypass intended security restrictions and access files outside of the designated directory. By manipulating file paths, an attacker could include sensitive configuration files, source code, or even system files. Successful exploitation could lead to the disclosure of credentials, database information, or other confidential data. In a worst-case scenario, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, gaining complete control over the WordPress instance and potentially the entire web server. This is similar to other file inclusion vulnerabilities that have been exploited to gain system access.

1. Reserved2024-08-18
2. Published2024-10-02
3. EPSS updated2026-04-02

The primary mitigation for CVE-2024-44017 is to immediately upgrade the MH Board plugin to version 1.3.3 or later. If upgrading is not immediately feasible due to compatibility issues or breaking changes, consider implementing temporary workarounds. These may include restricting file access permissions on the server, implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block suspicious file inclusion attempts (e.g., blocking requests containing '../' sequences), and carefully reviewing the plugin's code for any other potential vulnerabilities. After upgrading, confirm the fix by attempting to access files outside the intended directory via the plugin's interface; access should be denied.