CVE-2026-8713 — Avada (Fusion) Builder WordPress Plugin - Arbitrary File Deletion via Path Traversal
The Avada (Fusion) Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the maybe_delete_files function in all versions up to, and including, 3.15.3. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers 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 attack requires a published Avada form configured to save entries to the database; an unauthenticated attacker submits a path-traversal payload via the wp_ajax_nopriv_fusion_form_submit_ajax handler while also controlling the fusion_privacy_expiration_interval and privacy_expiration_action fields to force an immediate 'delete' cleanup, causing the planted entry to be automatically processed by the Fusion_Form_DB_Privacy shutdown-hook routine without any administrator interaction.
Who exploits it and how urgent it is
A 0–100 score combining confirmed exploitation, ransomware and APT use, public exploits, EPSS and severity.
How the score was calculated
- Public exploit/PoC (nuclei)+4
- EPSS 2.7% (30-day exploitation probability)+13
- Technical severity (critical)+10
- Automatable exploitation (SSVC)+3
The score orders the patch queue; it does not replace your asset context (internet exposure, criticality, compensating controls).
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the sources call it.
CISA SSVC assessment CISA
Three decision points CISA publishes for the CVEs it assesses (SSVC 2.0.3). A stakeholder decision, not a severity score.
Remediation
Fixes and mitigations documented by the sources — linked to the original advisory.
No fix documented by the sources we poll. That does not mean none exists: check the vendor advisory.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record’s own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found. A rule-generated starting point.
- Identify exposed assets running the affected vendor/product/version combinations (ThemeFusion Avada (Fusion) Builder).
- The attack is network-based and needs no privileges: restrict exposure (ACLs, VPN, WAF) until patched.
- No fix documented in the sources: reduce exposure and monitor the vendor advisory.
- Search available logs for exploit probes matching the vulnerability class (file handling), errors and authentication anomalies.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and versions as the sources word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThemeFusion | Avada (Fusion) Builder | ≤ 3.15.3 | Vulnerable | CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
Attack characteristics
The CVSS vector, decoded. It describes the attack, not your exposure to it.
Every base score collected
Sources score independently and may disagree; each row says who scored it and under which version.
| Score | Version | Severity | Expl. | Impact | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.1 | CVSS 3.1 | Critical | 3.9 | 5.2 | security@wordfence.com via NIST National Vulnerability Database |
| 9.1 | CVSS 3.1 | Critical | — | — | Wordfence via CVE Program (cve.org) e CISA ADP |
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H (score shown at the top: security@wordfence.com) Weakness MITRE
Weakness class according to MITRE’s CWE catalog.
Public exploits, PoCs and detection templates
Public code that demonstrates or tests the flaw raises the odds of mass exploitation — and Nuclei templates help find vulnerable assets in your environment.
Warning: public PoCs are sometimes disguised malware. Use them only for authorized testing in an isolated environment. This portal does not host exploit code — it only points to the sources.
EPSS over time FIRST
Oct 13, 2026 → Oct 14, 2026 · 2 reading(s) · max 2.67%
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not tested rules.
- Prioritize edge telemetry for the network-reachable component (proxy, WAF, IDS/IPS).
- Monitor file creation in web directories and paths with traversal sequences (../).
Analysis and videos
CVE-2026-8713: Avada (Fusion) Builder WordPress Plugin - Arbitrary File Deletion via Path Traversal
The Avada (Fusion) Builder plugin for WordPress contains an arbitrary file deletion flaw caused by insufficient file path validation in all versions up to and including 3.15.3. The record lists a critical severity with a CVSS score of 9.1 from Wordfence and classifies the weakness as path traversal (CWE-22). No confirmed exploitation appears in the sources consulted.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first.
- 2026
- Affected products added · themefusion/avada (fusion) builder
- SSVC assessment updated
- Record published
- CVSS changed · 9.1
- Source status changed · → Deferred
- Record created in this database
- CVE published
Source activity
Repeated readings are counted rather than listed.
- 1× Official description updated · Oct 13, 2026 – Oct 13, 2026
References
2 on the record
Elsewhere on this site
Related CVEs (same products)
- Medium CVE-2026-97471 Avada (Fusion) Builder <= 3.16.1 - Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure in 'args[link_target]' Parameter via {user_meta} Dynamic Data Token 1d
- Critical CVE-2026-97670 Avada (Fusion) Builder <= 7.16.1 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary WordPress Action Invocation via '{action_hook}' Dynamic-Data Token in Form Field 5d
- Critical CVE-2026-6279 Avada (Fusion) Builder <= 3.15.2 - Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution via PHP Function Injection via 'render_logics' Shortcode Attribute via Widget AJAX Handler May 21, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-1543 Avada (Fusion) Builder <= 3.15.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Multiple Shortcodes May 21, 2026
- High CVE-2026-4798 Avada Builder <= 3.15.1 - Unauthenticated SQL Injection via 'product_order' Parameter May 13, 2026
- Medium CVE-2026-4782 Avada Builder <= 3.15.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Read via 'custom_svg' Shortcode Parameter May 13, 2026
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No fixed version, patch or mitigation documented.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record
Text assembled only from the fields above — no additional claims.
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-8713 is "Avada (Fusion) Builder WordPress Plugin - Arbitrary File Deletion via Path Traversal", rated Critical. It affects Avada (Fusion) Builder (ThemeFusion); versions are in the scope table. It is not in CISA KEV, which does not rule out exploitation. CVSS 9.1 describes technical severity. EPSS 2.67% estimates the probability of exploitation in 30 days; neither replaces your asset context. First verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run the affected versions, apply vendor fixes or mitigations, and preserve logs for review.
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