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Simple File List - Information Disclosure (CVE-2026-16616)

CVE-2026-16616

The Simple File List WordPress plugin through 6.3.11 does not validate the source path of a file-move operation reachable by unauthenticated users, allowing them to read arbitrary files on the server and to relocate critical files out of the web root, leading to sensitive information disclosure and potential site takeover.

CVE-2026-16616

HIGH CVSS 8.6 Published 2026-08-19 Updated 2026-08-26
AI Risk Critical (91/100) Active Exploit: No strong signal Published Exploit: No public exploit references Priority: P1 Immediate
Severity Band HIGH
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
Affected Components 1
Reference Links 1
AI Risk Engine Critical (91/100)
Exploitability Very High
Active Exploitation No strong signal
Published Exploit Status No public exploit references

Threat Timeline

  1. 2026-08-19 CVE published and first recorded in the threat feed.
  2. 2026-08-26 Record updated with latest vulnerability metadata.
  3. 2026-08-22 AI technical context refreshed for mitigation and impact guidance.
  4. Now Monitoring for follow-up changes, linked references, and new related CVEs.

AI Context

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AI Updated 15 days ago

AI enriched 15 days ago (2026-08-22 00:25 UTC)

Technical Summary

The Simple File List WordPress plugin through 6.3.11 does not validate the source path of a file-move operation reachable by unauthenticated users, allowing them to read arbitrary files on the server and to relocate critical files out of the web root, leading to sensitive information disclosure and potential site takeover.

Potential Impact

Severity is HIGH (CVSS 8.6). Depending on deployment context, affected components may be exposed to unauthorized actions or data integrity risk.

Exploitability Assessment

Exploitability is assessed as Very High based on remote code execution potential, low-bar exploit prerequisites.

Primary risk drivers: remote code execution potential, low-bar exploit prerequisites

Mitigation Recommendations

Validate affected product versions, prioritize patching, and monitor references for vendor remediation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, apply compensating controls and limit exposure of vulnerable surfaces.

Detection & Monitoring

Track authentication anomalies, unexpected file writes, and suspicious plugin API activity around affected components.

Business Impact Lens

AI risk score 91/100 (Critical, Very High) with priority P1 Immediate. Prioritize remediation where affected components process customer data, admin sessions, or Internet-exposed workflows.

Affected Products

Simple File List PLUGIN · simple-file-list Affected: >= 0, <= 6.3.11 Fixed version not specified

References

What to do about this

Patch promptly The consequence is significant even where an attacker needs a foothold first.

Fix it

Update Simple File List to the latest available version.

Where the vendor has not published a fix yet, disable the plugin until they do.

Cannot update today? Restrict REST API in Hack Halt Pro blocks this class of attack before WordPress processes the request.

Require authentication for REST namespaces that do not need to be public, so the API cannot be used to enumerate content and accounts.

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Not sure if you are affected?

Scan your site to see whether it runs Simple File List, and at which version.

Free, no installation, no account. It reads what your site already publishes, then tells you which plugins carry known vulnerabilities and what to do about each one.

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Am I affected by this vulnerability?

You are affected if your site runs Simple File List. No account is needed to exploit this, so a public site is reachable by anyone.

How do I fix it?

Update Simple File List to the latest available version. Where the vendor has not yet published a fix, remove or disable the plugin until they do. Until you can update, Restrict REST API in Hack Halt Pro contains this class of attack at the request layer.

What can an attacker actually do?

This is a Information Disclosure flaw. An attacker who exploits it can read data they were never meant to see, which is often the first step in a larger attack.