Groundhogg: Arbitrary file deletion via copy_file in CSV import
Summary
The Groundhogg CRM, newsletter and marketing automation plugin for WordPress does not validate file paths in its copy_file function. An authenticated user with Sales Representative access or higher, or any user with the import_contacts capability, can delete arbitrary files on the server. Deleting critical files such as wp-config.php can easily lead to remote code execution.
Affected
- Groundhogg plugin for WordPress, all versions up to and including 4.9.3
Fixed in
- Version 4.9.4 (released 2026-10-13) according to the vendor changelog, which lists a security fix for file copying during imports, the REST API and webhooks.
Workaround
- No vendor workaround known.
- Until the update is applied, restrict or disable CSV contact import and remove the import_contacts capability from roles that do not need it.
Exploitation
- No exploitation in the wild known.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation none, automatable no.
- Attackers need a valid account with at least the Sales Representative role.
Our recommendation
- Update Groundhogg to version 4.9.4 or later.
- Review accounts with the Sales Representative role or the import_contacts capability and remove those that are not needed.
- Enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all staff accounts.
- Monitor critical files such as wp-config.php for changes and keep current offline backups.
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Groundhogg commit e319e4a (fix and 4.9.4 changelog) github.com
- Wordfence threat intelligence record www.wordfence.com
- Groundhogg 4.9.3 file-box.php (copy_file) plugins.trac.wordpress.org
- Groundhogg 4.9.3 functions.php (file field handling) plugins.trac.wordpress.org
- Groundhogg changeset 3744461 (file-box.php) plugins.trac.wordpress.org
- CVE record on Vulners vulners.com
- CVE record on VulDB vuldb.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 1 Nov 2026, 18:55.
Original description (NVD)
The Groundhogg — CRM, Newsletters, and Marketing Automation plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the copy_file function in all versions up to, and including, 4.9.3 This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Sales Representative-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). This is exploitable by any user holding the plugin-defined import_contacts capability, which is granted by default to the plugin's custom Sales Representative role.
NVD references (12)
- https://github.com/groundhoggwp/groundhogg/commit/e319e4a849bfbb07cccfbac8558ad6bf07a7fdc0
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/admin/tools/tools-page.php#L575
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/admin/tools/tools-page.php#L602
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/background/import-contacts.php#L200
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/classes/traits/file-box.php#L85
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/classes/traits/file-box.php#L94
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/functions.php#L2872
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/functions.php#L8045
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/main-roles.php#L583
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/4.9.3/includes/utils/files.php#L323
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3744461/groundhogg/trunk/includes/classes/traits/file-box.php
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/fb5100ac-cfe6-4e91-9349-6e8efa850147?source=cve
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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