CVE-2024-37462: Bootstrap Elements Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2024-37462 Overview

CVE-2024-37462 is a path traversal vulnerability in the G5Theme Ultimate Bootstrap Elements for Elementor WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.4.2. Attackers with low-privilege authenticated access can traverse outside restricted directories to read arbitrary files on the underlying server. Patchstack classifies this issue as a local file inclusion (LFI) weakness, mapped to [CWE-22]. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive configuration files, credentials, and application source code. The vulnerability carries a network attack vector with low complexity, requiring no user interaction.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can read arbitrary files and potentially achieve code execution by including PHP files outside the plugin's intended directory scope.

Affected Products

G5plus Ultimate Bootstrap Elements for Elementor plugin for WordPress
All versions from n/a through 1.4.2
WordPress sites with the plugin installed and activated

Discovery Timeline

2024-07-09 - CVE-2024-37462 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-37462

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability arises from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory within the Ultimate Bootstrap Elements for Elementor plugin. The plugin accepts file path input from HTTP requests without adequately sanitizing directory traversal sequences such as ../. An authenticated attacker with contributor-level privileges or higher can supply crafted path values that resolve to files outside the plugin's intended scope. Because the plugin uses PHP inclusion semantics, the resolved file is loaded and executed by the WordPress process. This transforms a file read into potential code execution when the attacker can control the contents of an included file. Patchstack documents this issue as a local file inclusion condition affecting all releases through 1.4.2.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing validation of user-supplied path parameters before they reach a PHP include or file access function. The plugin does not enforce a canonical path check, does not restrict input to an allowlist of template names, and does not strip traversal sequences. As a result, relative path components propagate directly into the file system layer.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and authenticated privileges. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request containing traversal sequences in the vulnerable parameter. The plugin resolves the path, loads the referenced file, and returns its contents or executes it. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details on the vulnerable code paths.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-37462

Indicators of Compromise

Requests containing ../ or URL-encoded variants (%2e%2e%2f) targeting Ultimate Bootstrap Elements endpoints
Access log entries referencing sensitive files such as wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or PHP session files
Unexpected outbound connections or new administrative accounts following suspicious plugin activity

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress access logs for path parameters containing directory traversal sequences
Deploy web application firewall rules that block traversal patterns in requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and plugin routes
Correlate authenticated low-privilege sessions with file-read anomalies on the WordPress host

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on the WordPress installation directory and wp-content/plugins/ultimate-bootstrap-elements-for-elementor
Alert on PHP process reads of wp-config.php outside expected initialization flows
Track contributor and author account activity for unusual template or shortcode requests

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-37462

Immediate Actions Required

Update Ultimate Bootstrap Elements for Elementor to a version later than 1.4.2 once the vendor publishes a patched release
Audit WordPress user accounts and remove unnecessary contributor or author-level access
Rotate WordPress secrets and database credentials if exploitation is suspected

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the most recent remediation guidance from the vendor. The affected range covers all versions up to and including 1.4.2.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the Ultimate Bootstrap Elements for Elementor plugin until a fixed version is available
Restrict access to /wp-admin/ using IP allowlisting or an authenticating reverse proxy
Configure a web application firewall to block traversal sequences in plugin request parameters

bash

# Example WAF rule fragment to block traversal in plugin parameters
SecRule ARGS "@rx (\.\./|%2e%2e%2f|%2e%2e/)" \
    "id:1004737,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
     msg:'Path traversal attempt against Ultimate Bootstrap Elements'"