CVE-2026-3835

Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files <= 2.8.8.8 - Unauthenticated Protected File Access

Published Aug 13, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.3 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
The Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of protected files due to insufficient token validation in the `get_advance_file_by_url()` method in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.8.8 The method uses a SQL `LIKE` operator for token lookup without escaping wildcard characters via `$wpdb->esc_like()`. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to bypass the private token requirement by supplying SQL wildcard characters (such as `%`) as the token value, matching any record in the plugin's file table and downloading any protected file.

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
Metrics ssvc

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

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Buildwps
Buildwps prevent Direct Access – Protect Wordpress Files
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Vendors & Products Buildwps
Buildwps prevent Direct Access – Protect Wordpress Files
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of protected files due to insufficient token validation in the `get_advance_file_by_url()` method in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.8.8 The method uses a SQL `LIKE` operator for token lookup without escaping wildcard characters via `$wpdb->esc_like()`. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to bypass the private token requirement by supplying SQL wildcard characters (such as `%`) as the token value, matching any record in the plugin's file table and downloading any protected file.
Title Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files <= 2.8.8.8 - Unauthenticated Protected File Access
Weaknesses CWE-285
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Wordfence
Published
Updated
Aug 13, 2026, 1:46 PM
Reserved
Mar 9, 2026, 2:22 PM
Status
Deferred
Published
Aug 13, 2026, 6:17 AM
Modified
Aug 14, 2026, 7:09 PM