# CVE-2023-2278: WP Directory Kit <= 1.1.9 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion via wdk_public_action

> Unauthenticated attackers can exploit a local file inclusion vulnerability in WP Directory Kit to execute arbitrary PHP code or read sensitive data.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 13 Jun 2023
- **Updated:** 8 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rpmj-pwv6-6rvf

## What is CVE-2023-2278?

CVE-2023-2278 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in wpdirectorykit WP Directory Kit, published on 13 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 1.1.9 via the 'wdk_public_action' function. This allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-2278?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Wpdirectorykit Wp Directory Kit.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-2278?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-2278 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-2278 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-2278 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in wpdirectorykit WP Directory Kit

- [CVE-2025-13390](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-13390/): WP Directory Kit <= 1.4.4 - Authentication Bypass to Privilege Escalation via Account Takeover (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2024-3217](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-3217/): WP Directory Kit <= 1.3.0 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) SQL Injection (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2024-37487](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-37487/): WordPress WP Directory Kit plugin <= 1.3.5 - Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2024-29774](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-29774/): WordPress WP Directory Kit plugin <= 1.2.9 - Reflected Cross Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2023-2351](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2351/): Missing authorization in WP Directory Kit (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-2278 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-2278 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in wpdirectorykit WP Directory Kit, published on 13 Jun 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-2278 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: wpdirectorykit WP Directory Kit. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2278/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2278/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-2278
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2278
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-2278

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2278/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.