Unauthenticated file disclosure via wildcard token matching
Published Aug 13, 2026 · Updated Aug 13, 2026
Improper authorization in Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files 2.8.8.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to read protected files. The get_advance_file_by_url() method passes an attacker-controlled token to a SQL LIKE lookup without escaping wildcard characters, so % matches an arbitrary file-table record. No authentication is required, but the site must use the plugin to protect at least one file; successful requests disclose file contents without modifying them.
Summary
What happened
Improper authorization in Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files 2.8.8.8 and earlier allows remote attackers to read protected files. The get_advance_file_by_url() method passes an attacker-controlled token to a SQL LIKE lookup without escaping wildcard characters, so % matches an arbitrary file-table record. No authentication is required, but the site must use the plugin to protect at least one file; successful requests disclose file contents without modifying them.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-3835
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 13, 2026
- Vendor
- WP Folio Team
- Product
- Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files
- Classifications
- CWE-285, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 13, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 13, 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.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=2.8.8.8
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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