Loco Translate <= 2.8.2 - Authenticated (Translator+) Path Traversal to Limited File Read via 'ref' Parameter

Summary

The Loco Translate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 2.8.2 via the `fsReference` AJAX route. This is due to the `findSourceFile()` method normalizing user-supplied `ref` paths containing `../` directory traversal sequences without validating that the resolved path remains within the intended bundle or content directory. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Translator-level access and above (custom `loco_admin` capability required, granted to the `translator` role and administrators by default), to read arbitrary `.php`, `.js`, `.json`, and `.twig` files from the server filesystem outside the intended translation directory. Files named wp-config.php are excluded.

Timeline

1. May 5, 2026, 2:26 AM UTCCVE published
2. May 6, 2026, 12:27 PM UTCCISA SSVC assessment

   Exploitation: none · Automatable: no · Technical impact: partial

3. May 6, 2026, 12:27 PM UTCRecord last updated

Affected versions

• timwhitlock Loco Translate

  through 2.8.2

References 7