CVE-2023-23700Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated local file inclusion via unsanitized pane slug

Published May 17, 2024 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Path traversal in OceanWP 3.4.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to include local PHP files through the theme panel. The wp_ajax_oceanwp_cp_load_pane_action handler passes the POST slug through esc_attr, interpolates it into a pane path, and uses include_once on any existing .php file without reducing the slug to a basename. Subscriber access is sufficient; a traversed server-side PHP file can disclose its output or execute its code in the WordPress process.

CVSS severity7.6
High
EPSS probability0.68%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in OceanWP 3.4.1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to include local PHP files through the theme panel. The wp_ajax_oceanwp_cp_load_pane_action handler passes the POST slug through esc_attr, interpolates it into a pane path, and uses include_once on any existing .php file without reducing the slug to a basename. Subscriber access is sufficient; a traversed server-side PHP file can disclose its output or execute its code in the WordPress process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-23700
Published
May 17, 2024
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
OceanWP
Product
OceanWP
Classifications
CWE-22, CAPEC-252, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 17, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 2026Record 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 <=3.4.1
  2. Affected versionversion=n/a <=3.4.1 changes=[{"at":"3.4.2","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

OceanWP · OceanWPversion=0 <=3.4.1; version=n/a <=3.4.1 changes=[{"at":"3.4.2","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.6PatchstackCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CAPEC-252PHP Local File Inclusion
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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