CVE-2025-13972Network attack vector

Authenticated file read via unchecked download path

Published Dec 12, 2025 · Updated Dec 12, 2025

Path traversal in the WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress 3.16.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary server files. The handle_big_object_download_request function accepts the wht_download_big_object_origin parameter without restricting the resolved path to an allowed directory. Administrator-level access and a valid access token are required, and disclosed files can include database credentials and authentication keys.

CVSS severity4.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.51%
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 the WatchTowerHQ plugin for WordPress 3.16.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary server files. The handle_big_object_download_request function accepts the wht_download_big_object_origin parameter without restricting the resolved path to an allowed directory. Administrator-level access and a valid access token are required, and disclosed files can include database credentials and authentication keys.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-13972
Published
Dec 12, 2025
Updated
Dec 12, 2025
Vendor
WatchTowerHQ
Product
WatchTowerHQ
Classifications
CWE-22, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 12, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Dec 12, 2025Record 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=* <=3.15.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

WatchTowerHQ · WatchTowerHQversion=* <=3.15.0

Published CVSS scores

4.9WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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