CVE-2023-0159Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via template path override

Published Feb 13, 2023 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

Code injection in Extensive VC Addons for WPBakery page builder before 1.9.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary server files. The unauthenticated extensive_vc_init_shortcode_pagination AJAX action passes options to PHP extract(), letting a crafted options[template] value replace the template path and reach file inclusion. Access requires no account or user interaction; a compatible PHP filter chain executes code in the WordPress server context, while ordinary file payloads disclose readable host files.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability55.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code injection in Extensive VC Addons for WPBakery page builder before 1.9.1 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary server files. The unauthenticated extensive_vc_init_shortcode_pagination AJAX action passes options to PHP extract(), letting a crafted options[template] value replace the template path and reach file inclusion. Access requires no account or user interaction; a compatible PHP filter chain executes code in the WordPress server context, while ordinary file payloads disclose readable host files.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-0159
Published
Feb 13, 2023
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Nenad Obradovic
Product
Extensive VC Addons for WPBakery page builder
Classifications
CWE-94, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 13, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <1.9.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Nenad Obradovic · Extensive VC Addons for WPBakery page builderversion=0 <1.9.1

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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