CVE-2023-5816
Code Explorer <= 1.4.5 - Authenticated (Admin+) External File Reading
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.5. This is due to the fact that the plugin does not restrict accessing files to those outside of the WordPress instance, though the intention of the plugin is to only access WordPress related files. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to read files outside of the WordPress instance.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- High
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Code Explorer <= 1.4.5 - Authenticated (Admin+) External File Reading
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.5. This is due to the fact that the plugin does not restrict accessing files to those outside of the WordPress instance, though the intention of the plugin is to only access WordPress related files. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to read files outside of the WordPress instance.
- Record
CVE-2023-5816- CVSS 3.1
- 4.9 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-73
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-58099
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.5. This is due to the fact that the plugin does not restrict accessing files to those outside of the WordPress instance, though the intention of the plugin is to only access WordPress related files. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to read files outside of the WordPress instance.
- Record
EUVD-2023-58099- CVSS 3.1
- 4.9 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-g463-pw3x-jmj3
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all...
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.5. This is due to the fact that the plugin does not restrict accessing files to those outside of the WordPress instance, though the intention of the plugin is to only access WordPress related files. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to read files outside of the WordPress instance.
- Record
GHSA-g463-pw3x-jmj3- CVSS 3.1
- 4.9 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-73
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
The Code Explorer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary external file reading in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.5. This is due to the fact that the plugin does not restrict accessing files to those outside of the WordPress instance, though the intention of the plugin is to only access WordPress related files. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access, to read files outside of the WordPress instance.
- Record
CVE-2023-5816- CVSS 3.1
- 4.9 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-73
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-5816 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.9) in Bowo Code Explorer, published October 30, 2024. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.52%, the 44th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
References
wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/42ecc4e5-d660-472f-823d-a29b84cdf041?source=cve
wordpress.org/plugins/code-explorer
plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3234408%40code-explorer&new=3234408%40code-explorer&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-5816
github.com/advisories/GHSA-g463-pw3x-jmj3