# CVE-2026-66695: W3 Total Cache unauthenticated path traversal

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-66695-w3-total-cache-unauthenticated-path-traversal  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-08-06. Updated: 2026-09-25  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-66695 · Severity: medium · CVSS 6.5 · Published 2026-08-06

W3 Total Cache is a widely-used WordPress plugin that optimizes website performance through caching and asset management. An unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability in versions 2.10.2 and earlier allows attackers to access sensitive files stored outside the website's intended directory, potentially exposing database backups, configuration files, and other private data without requiring login credentials.

Technologies: [BoldGrid W3 Total Cache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/w3-total-cache). Vendors: [BoldGrid](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/boldgrid).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-66695 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-66695 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-66695?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 6.5, published 6 August 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** BoldGrid W3 Total Cache <=2.10.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-66695?** A patch was published on 2026-07-31: patch available in version 2.10.3 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-66695 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-66695?** Check whether you run BoldGrid W3 Total Cache at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is a path traversal flaw (CWE-22) affecting the W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin up to version 2.10.2. It requires no authentication and is exploitable over the network, allowing attackers to escape the web root directory and read arbitrary files on the server filesystem. An attacker can leverage directory traversal sequences to navigate to sensitive locations and retrieve private configuration, backup, or credential files. The vulnerability is classified as unauthenticated access control bypass and has been patched in version 2.10.3.

## Affected products

- BoldGrid W3 Total Cache <=2.10.2

## Timeline

- 2026-07-31: disclosed
- 2026-07-31: patched: patch available in version 2.10.3

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/w3-total-cache/vulnerability/wordpress-w3-total-cache-plugin-2-10-2-path-traversal-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/w3-total-cache/vulnerability/wordpress-w3-total-cache-plugin-2-10-2-path-traversal-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

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