CVE-2023-3452Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via request-controlled PHP include

Published Aug 12, 2023 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Remote file inclusion in the Canto plugin for WordPress 3.0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via wp_abspath. In includes/lib/tree.php, request-controlled wp_abspath is concatenated with /wp-admin/admin.php and passed to require_once without validation. Remote inclusion requires PHP allow_url_include; local inclusion instead requires a malicious PHP file already readable by the web server.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability6.96%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote file inclusion in the Canto plugin for WordPress 3.0.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via wp_abspath. In includes/lib/tree.php, request-controlled wp_abspath is concatenated with /wp-admin/admin.php and passed to require_once without validation. Remote inclusion requires PHP allow_url_include; local inclusion instead requires a malicious PHP file already readable by the web server.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-3452
Published
Aug 12, 2023
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Canto
Product
Canto
Classifications
CWE-98, CAPEC-193, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 12, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 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 <=3.0.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Canto · Cantoversion=0 <=3.0.4

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-98Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
CAPEC-193PHP Remote 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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