CVE-2014-5465: Directory traversal vulnerability in force-download.php in the Download Shortcode plugin 0.2.3 and earlier for

Q: How do I fix CVE-2014-5465?

download shortcode: upgrade to newer than 0.2.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2014-5465 being exploited?

CVE-2014-5465 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2014-5465 affect?

CVE-2014-5465 affects download shortcode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in force-download.php in the Download Shortcode plugin 0.2.3 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2014-5465?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

MEDIUM 5.0UPGRADE

CVE-2014-5465 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting download shortcode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Directory traversal vulnerability in force-download.php in the Download Shortcode plugin 0.2.3 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.

Why this priority

EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	13.5% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2014-09-03
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: werdswords

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2014-09-03 19:55 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

werdswords download shortcode UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.2.3 · 0.1 · 0.2 · 0.2.2

Fixed in: newer than 0.2.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy download-shortcode || rpm -q download-shortcode || download-shortcode --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.2.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade download-shortcode

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade download-shortcode

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: WordPress Plugin ShortCode 0.2.3 - Local File Inclusion

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2014-5465?

download shortcode: upgrade to newer than 0.2.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-5465 being exploited?

CVE-2014-5465 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2014-5465 affect?

CVE-2014-5465 affects download shortcode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Directory traversal vulnerability in force-download.php in the Download Shortcode plugin 0.2.3 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.

How urgent is CVE-2014-5465?

Priority 47/100. EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

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