CVE-2026-18051

W3 Total Cache < 2.10.5 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Directory File Write and .htaccess Overwrite via Path Traversal in the Page Cache Key

Published Aug 19, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 10 Critical EPSS 2.0% KEV · Not listed
Description
The W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin before 2.10.5 does not properly validate the request path it uses to build cache file names, allowing unauthenticated attackers to write a file into any existing directory on the server, inside or outside the web root, overwriting whatever occupies the target name.
On Apache, the same flaw overwrites the site's .htaccess files, which breaks the site and can strip hardening rules that other security measures rely on.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Wordpress-extensions
Wordpress-extensions w3 Total Cache
Vendors & Products Wordpress-extensions
Wordpress-extensions w3 Total Cache
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-22
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 10.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin before 2.10.5 does not properly validate the request path it uses to build cache file names, allowing unauthenticated attackers to write a file into any existing directory on the server, inside or outside the web root, overwriting whatever occupies the target name. On Apache, the same flaw overwrites the site's .htaccess files, which breaks the site and can strip hardening rules that other security measures rely on.
Title W3 Total Cache < 2.10.5 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary Directory File Write and .htaccess Overwrite via Path Traversal in the Page Cache Key
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
WPScan
Published
Updated
Aug 19, 2026, 4:44 PM
Reserved
Jul 28, 2026, 12:02 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Aug 19, 2026, 6:17 AM
Modified
Nov 9, 2026, 8:10 PM