WordPress Plugin Anti-Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall 4
Description
WordPress Plugin Anti-Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall 4
AI Analyst Comment
Remediation
Update WordPress plugin/theme to the latest version. Review WordPress security settings and remove if no longer needed.
Description Summary:
The Gotmls Anti-Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall plugin for WordPress contains a path traversal vulnerability that can be exploited by unauthenticated remote attackers.
Executive Summary:
A path traversal vulnerability in the Gotmls Anti-Malware plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive files, posing a critical risk to site security.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-ID: CVE-2021-47977
Affected Software: Gotmls Anti-Malware Security and Bruteforce Firewall
Affected Versions: 0 through 4.20.72
Vulnerability: This is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) that does not require authentication (PR:N). An attacker can supply malicious input to trigger unauthorized file access, bypassing standard security restrictions.
Business Impact
The ability for an unauthenticated attacker to traverse the file system can lead to the exposure of sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other critical system data. With a CVSS score of 7.5, this vulnerability represents a significant threat to confidentiality and should be addressed as a priority.
Remediation Plan
Immediate Action: Update the plugin to the latest version if available; if an update is not available, immediately deactivate and remove the plugin to prevent exploitation.
Proactive Monitoring: Monitor server logs for suspicious URL patterns containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., "../") directed at the plugin's file structure.
Compensating Controls: Deploy a WAF with rules configured to block common directory traversal strings and unauthorized access attempts to sensitive WordPress core files.
Exploitation Status
Public Exploit Available: Yes — an entry exists on ExploitDB (50107).
Analyst Notes: As of May 17, 2026, there is no confirmed active exploitation in the wild; however, per CISA's SSVC assessment a proof-of-concept exists, so exploitation risk should be treated as credible. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability highly attractive to automated scanning tools.
Analyst Recommendation
The combination of unauthenticated access and a public exploit necessitates urgent action. Administrators should verify their current version and update or remove the plugin immediately to mitigate the risk of unauthorized file exposure.