Description
Directory traversal vulnerability in the get_category_template function in wp-includes/theme.php in WordPress 2.3.3 and earlier, and 2.5, allows remote attackers to include and possibly execute arbitrary PHP files via the cat parameter in index.php. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | wordpress | 2.5.1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 2.5.1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 2.5.1-1 | — |
| Debian 5.0 | wordpress | 2.5.1-11+lenny1 | DSA-1871-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | wordpress | 2.0.10-1etch4 | DSA-1871-2, DSA-1871-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Exploit-DB 1
- WordPress Core 2.3.3 - 'cat' Directory Traversal EDB-31670 · webapps · Apr 18, 2008 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- DSA-1871-2 wordpress - regression fix Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-1871-1 wordpress - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- wordpress-cat-directory-traversal(41920) vdb-entry
- http://trac.wordpress.org/changeset/7586
- 28845 vdb-entry
- DSA-1871 vendor-advisory
- 29949 third-party-advisory
- http://www.juniper.fi/security/auto/vulnerabilities/vuln28845.html