CVE-2015-5609: Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the Image Export plugin 1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to

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CRITICAL 9.1REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2015-5609 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.1) affecting image-export. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the Image Export plugin 1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read and delete arbitrary files via a full pathname in the file parameter to download.php.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.1 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.2% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-22
Published	2017-05-23
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: image-export project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-05-23 04:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:29 UTCUpdated Record last modified

image-export project image-export DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy image-export || rpm -q image-export || image-export --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison image-export sudo apt install image-export=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo apt-mark hold image-export

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list image-export sudo dnf downgrade image-export-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.1> sudo dnf versionlock add image-export

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

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-2015-5609?

image-export: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2015-5609 being exploited?

CVE-2015-5609 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-2015-5609 affect?

CVE-2015-5609 affects image-export. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.1). Absolute path traversal vulnerability in the Image Export plugin 1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to read and delete arbitrary files via a full pathname in the file parameter to download.php.

How urgent is CVE-2015-5609?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

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