CVE-2023-2288: The Otter WordPress plugin before 2.2.6 does not sanitize some user-controlled file paths before performing fi

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-2288?

otter: upgrade to 2.2.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-2288 being exploited?

CVE-2023-2288 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-2023-2288 affect?

CVE-2023-2288 affects otter. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). The Otter WordPress plugin before 2.2.6 does not sanitize some user-controlled file paths before performing file operations on them. This leads to a PHAR deserialization vulnerability on PHP < 8.0 using the phar:// stream wrapper.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-2288?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2023-2288 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting otter. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Otter WordPress plugin before 2.2.6 does not sanitize some user-controlled file paths before performing file operations on them. This leads to a PHAR deserialization vulnerability on PHP < 8.0 using the phar:// stream wrapper.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	18.0% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-502
Published	2023-05-30
Last modified	2026-10-24

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: themeisle

Last updated 2026-10-24 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-05-30 08:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-24 13:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

themeisle otter UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.2.6

Fixed in: 2.2.6

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy otter || rpm -q otter || otter --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.2.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade otter

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade otter

Note

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

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · gnome-shell-extension-tiling-assistant · FIXED · 56-1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-ebf66a5321 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-ebf66a5321

Public exploits and detection

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

Write-up: wpscan.com/vulnerability/93acb4ee-1053-48e1-8b69-c09dc3b2f302

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-2023-2288?

otter: upgrade to 2.2.6. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-2288 being exploited?

CVE-2023-2288 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-2023-2288 affect?

CVE-2023-2288 affects otter. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). The Otter WordPress plugin before 2.2.6 does not sanitize some user-controlled file paths before performing file operations on them. This leads to a PHAR deserialization vulnerability on PHP < 8.0 using the phar:// stream wrapper.

How urgent is CVE-2023-2288?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

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