CVE-2026-1921 Loco Translate <= 2.8.2 - Authenticated (Translator+) Path Traversal to Limited File Read via 'ref' Parameter
Authenticated attackers with Translator privileges can read arbitrary PHP, JS, JSON, and Twig files from the server filesystem via path traversal.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- An administrator
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-1921?
CVE-2026-1921 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in timwhitlock Loco Translate, published on 5 May 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Loco Translate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.2 via the `fsReference` AJAX route. This is due to the `findSourceFile()` method normalizing user-supplied `ref` paths containing `../` directory traversal sequences without validating that the resolved path remains within the intended bundle or content directory. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Translator-level access and above (custom `loco_admin` capability required, granted to the `translator` role and administrators by default), to read arbitrary `.php`, `.js`, `.json`, and `.twig` files from the server filesystem outside the intended translation directory. Files named wp-config.php are excluded.
Weakness: CWE-22
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-1921?
How do I fix CVE-2026-1921?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-1921 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-1921 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-1921 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-hq6w-992m-rf4h.