---
title: "CVE-2018-12895: WordPress through 4.9.6 allows Author… | CubePath"
description: "WordPress through 4.9.6 allows Author users to execute arbitrary code by leveraging directory traversal in the wp-admin/post.php thumb parameter…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2018-12895
---

# CVE-2018-12895: WordPress through 4.9.6 allows Author… | CubePath

## Description

WordPress through 4.9.6 allows Author users to execute arbitrary code by leveraging directory traversal in the wp-admin/post.php thumb parameter, which is passed to the PHP unlink function and can delete the wp-config.php file. This is related to missing filename validation in the wp-includes/post.php wp\_delete\_attachment function. The attacker must have capabilities for files and posts that are normally available only to the Author, Editor, and Administrator roles. The attack methodology is to delete wp-config.php and then launch a new installation process to increase the attacker's privileges.

Official description from the CVE record, published by mitre. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-12895)

## Key data

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.62162 (62.2% probability)

Percentile

99.2%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [blog.ripstech.com/2018/wordpress-file-delete-to-code-execut…](https://blog.ripstech.com/2018/wordpress-file-delete-to-code-execution/)
- [104569](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/104569)  (securityfocus.com) vdb-entry
- [DSA-4250](https://www.debian.org/security/2018/dsa-4250)  (debian.org) vendor-advisory
- [wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9100](https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9100)
- [\[debian-lts-announce\] 20180730 \[SECURITY\] \[DLA 1452-1\] wordpress security update](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2018/07/msg00046.html)  (lists.debian.org) mailing-list
- [packetstormsecurity.com/files/164633/WordPress-4.9.6-Arbitr…](http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164633/WordPress-4.9.6-Arbitrary-File-Deletion.html)

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Jun 26, 2018
2. Record published Jun 26, 2018
3. Record last updated Aug 5, 2024

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## About CubePath

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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 20:00 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)