CVE-2024-52481: Astoundify Jobify Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2024-52481 Overview

CVE-2024-52481 is a path traversal vulnerability in the Astoundify Jobify WordPress theme. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from the web server by submitting crafted relative path sequences. The vulnerability affects all Jobify versions up to and including those before 4.3.0. Patchstack categorizes this issue as an unauthenticated arbitrary file read vulnerability, and it is tracked under [CWE-22].

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can read sensitive files on the web server, including configuration files such as wp-config.php, which may expose database credentials and authentication keys.

Affected Products

Astoundify Jobify WordPress theme versions prior to 4.3.0
WordPress sites using the Jobify theme for job board functionality
Any deployment exposing the vulnerable theme endpoints to the internet

Discovery Timeline

2024-11-28 - CVE-2024-52481 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-52481

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory within the Jobify theme. User-controlled input is passed to a file-handling routine without sufficient normalization or validation. An attacker submits relative path traversal sequences such as ../ to escape the intended directory and reference arbitrary files on the server filesystem.

Because exploitation requires no authentication and no user interaction, an attacker only needs network access to a vulnerable WordPress site. The result is confidentiality loss of any file readable by the web server process, including WordPress configuration files, application source code, and operating system files such as /etc/passwd.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing canonicalization and allowlist validation on a file path parameter consumed by the Jobify theme. The theme accepts a filename or path from request input and concatenates it with a base directory before reading the file. Without rejecting traversal sequences or enforcing a canonical path within the allowed directory, attackers can break out of the intended scope. This pattern is classified under [CWE-22] Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and unauthenticated. An attacker issues an HTTP request to the vulnerable Jobify endpoint with a path parameter containing relative traversal sequences. The server returns the contents of the targeted file in the response. See the Patchstack Jobify Theme Vulnerability advisory for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52481

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Jobify theme endpoints containing ../ or URL-encoded variants such as %2e%2e%2f in query or POST parameters
Web server access logs showing responses returning content of wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or other sensitive files
Unusual outbound transfers of WordPress configuration data shortly after suspicious inbound requests

Detection Strategies

Inspect WordPress access logs for path traversal patterns targeting /wp-content/themes/jobify/ paths
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules that block relative path traversal sequences in request parameters
Correlate unauthenticated requests with abnormally large response sizes that may indicate file reads

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor for repeated 200 OK responses to requests containing encoded traversal payloads
Alert on read access to wp-config.php originating from the web server process outside normal application flow
Track Jobify theme version inventory across managed WordPress sites and flag installations below 4.3.0

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52481

Immediate Actions Required

Upgrade the Astoundify Jobify theme to version 4.3.0 or later on all affected WordPress installations
Rotate any secrets stored in wp-config.php, including database credentials and authentication keys, if exposure is suspected
Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts dating back to theme installation

Patch Information

Astoundify addresses the vulnerability in Jobify version 4.3.0. Administrators should update through the WordPress theme management interface or by replacing theme files with the patched release. Refer to the Patchstack advisory for vendor patch details.

Workarounds

Apply WAF rules that block requests containing ../, ..\, and URL-encoded traversal sequences in parameters consumed by the Jobify theme
Restrict file system permissions so the web server user cannot read sensitive files outside the WordPress document root where feasible
Temporarily disable the Jobify theme until the patch can be applied if active exploitation is observed

bash

# Example ModSecurity rule blocking path traversal in Jobify requests
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/themes/jobify/" \
  "chain,id:1005201,phase:2,deny,status:403,log,msg:'CVE-2024-52481 Jobify path traversal attempt'"
  SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_URI "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\|%2e%2e%2f|%2e%2e/)" "t:lowercase,t:urlDecodeUni"