# CVE-2015-9406: Unus WP - Path Traversal

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2015-9406 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2015-9406

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 7.5
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** mTheme Unus
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'))
- **Tags:** wordpress

## Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the mTheme-Unus theme before 2.3 for WordPress allows an attacker to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the files parameter to css/css.php.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2015-9406](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2015-9406) is a directory traversal vulnerability in the mTheme-Unus WordPress theme prior to version 2.3, which allows attackers to read arbitrary files on the server by manipulating the files parameter in css/css.php. This flaw could be exploited to access sensitive information, potentially exposing configuration files or credentials to remote attackers.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 21st of January 2026.

According to CrowdSec data, while opportunistic exploitation dominates, a portion of threat actors trying to exploit CVE-2015-9406 apply basic targeting methods such as port or service detection. This indicates emerging patterns of selective targeting.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2015-9406 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit the `files` parameter in requests to `/wp-content/themes/mTheme-Unus/css/css.php` by injecting directory traversal sequences (e.g., `../../../../wp-config.php`) to access sensitive files on the server.

## Timeline

- 2019-09-20: CVE Published. CVE-2015-9406 is published to NVD.
- 2026-01-21: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2015-9406 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2026-02-02: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2015-9406 for the first time.

## References

- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/133778/
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2015/CVE-2015-9406.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2015-9406) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2015-9406. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.