CVE-2024-44013: VR Calendar Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2024-44013 Overview

CVE-2024-44013 is a path traversal vulnerability in the Innate Images LLC VR Calendar (vr-calendar-sync) WordPress plugin. The flaw allows PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) through improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory [CWE-22]. Affected versions include VR Calendar up to and including 2.4.0. An attacker can traverse the file system and force the plugin to include arbitrary PHP files on the server, leading to disclosure of sensitive data or execution of attacker-controlled code paths.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows Local File Inclusion in a PHP context, exposing configuration files, credentials, and enabling code execution when writable or attacker-controlled files are reachable.

Affected Products

Innate Images LLC VR Calendar (vr-calendar-sync) plugin for WordPress
All versions from initial release through 2.4.0
WordPress deployments running the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

2024-10-05 - CVE-2024-44013 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-44013

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability originates in how the VR Calendar plugin resolves file paths passed through request parameters. The plugin fails to validate or canonicalize user-supplied input before using it in a PHP file inclusion operation. This enables Local File Inclusion, where an attacker directs the include operation to files outside the intended plugin directory.

Because the inclusion happens in a PHP execution context, any included file is interpreted as PHP. Attackers can target log files, uploaded content, or session files to convert file disclosure into arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability requires user interaction, which limits fully unauthenticated automation but does not prevent exploitation via crafted links or phishing.

The issue is tracked under the CWE-22 weakness class, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. According to the EPSS model, the vulnerability sits in the 40th percentile of exploited CVEs.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input sanitization on a file path parameter consumed by a PHP include/require operation inside the plugin. Traversal sequences such as ../ are not stripped, and absolute paths are not rejected. There is no allowlist restricting inclusions to files within the plugin directory.

Attack Vector

Exploitation occurs over the network against the WordPress site hosting the vulnerable plugin. The attacker crafts a request containing a traversal payload targeting an accessible PHP-parseable file on the server. Because the flaw requires user interaction, an attacker typically delivers the crafted URL through phishing or an authenticated administrator session.

Successful inclusion of a controlled file, such as an uploaded image with embedded PHP or a poisoned log file, results in code execution under the web server user.

The vulnerability manifests when unsanitized request parameters flow into a PHP inclusion function inside the plugin. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the vendor advisory and technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-44013

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to VR Calendar plugin endpoints containing traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded null bytes %00.
Requests referencing sensitive server paths like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or PHP session directories.
Unexpected PHP execution originating from files under wp-content/uploads/ or plugin directories.
Web server logs showing 200 responses to unusual query parameters targeting vr-calendar-sync files.

Detection Strategies

Deploy WordPress-aware web application firewall rules that flag path traversal patterns against plugin request handlers.
Monitor PHP include/require operations for arguments resolving outside the plugin directory using runtime application self-protection (RASP) or open_basedir violations.
Correlate HTTP requests containing traversal payloads with subsequent process execution or outbound network activity from the PHP worker.

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on any request to vr-calendar-sync endpoints containing directory traversal metacharacters or encoded variants.
Baseline expected plugin traffic and flag anomalous parameter values referencing filesystem paths.
Ingest WordPress and web server logs into a centralized SIEM to enable retroactive hunting after patching.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-44013

Immediate Actions Required

Update the VR Calendar (vr-calendar-sync) plugin to a version later than 2.4.0 as soon as the vendor releases a fix.
If no fixed version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin from all WordPress instances.
Review web server and PHP error logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing traversal patterns.
Rotate any secrets stored in wp-config.php if evidence of file disclosure is found.

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest fixed version guidance. Apply the vendor patch through the WordPress plugin updater and verify the installed version afterward.

Workarounds

Restrict access to plugin endpoints using web server access control lists or WAF rules that block traversal sequences.
Configure PHP open_basedir to constrain file inclusion to the WordPress installation directory.
Set allow_url_include=Off and allow_url_fopen=Off in php.ini to limit inclusion-based attack surface.
Enforce least privilege on the PHP worker account so included files cannot access sensitive system paths.

bash

# Configuration example: harden PHP against LFI abuse
# /etc/php/php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Apache virtual host: block traversal patterns against the plugin
<LocationMatch "/wp-content/plugins/vr-calendar-sync/">
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%00) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</LocationMatch>