CVE-2026-16585 Details
Description
The Better Messages – Chat Rooms, Group Chat, Private Messages & AI Chat Bots plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the delete_sticker function in all versions up to, and including, 2.15.19. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php). The prefix check intended to restrict deletion to the uploads directory can be bypassed by crafting a URL that begins with the legitimate uploads base URL but embeds ../ traversal sequences in the path portion, as the normalize_sticker function only applies esc_url_raw(), which does not strip ../ sequences, allowing the traversal payload to be stored verbatim in WordPress options.
A vulnerability exists in the Better Messages WordPress plugin, specifically in versions through 2.15.19. The issue arises from inadequate validation of file paths in the 'delete_sticker' function, allowing authenticated attackers with administrator-level access to delete arbitrary files from the server. This flaw can easily be exploited to execute remote code by deleting sensitive files like 'wp-config.php'. The vulnerability leverages a path traversal technique, bypassing restrictions intended to limit deletions to the uploads directory.
Users are advised to update the Better Messages WordPress plugin to version 2.15.20 or later.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Jul 28, 2026CISA-ADP
Assessed Jul 28, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-22 | Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Better Messages | <= 2.15.19 (semver) |
CPE
Remediation
| |
Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Jul 28, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |
Volerion