CVE-2025-10269: Spirit Framework WordPress Plugin RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-10269 Overview

CVE-2025-10269 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the Spirit Framework plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.2.13. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to include and execute arbitrary .php files on the underlying server. Successful exploitation enables attackers to bypass access controls, read sensitive data, or achieve remote code execution when combined with file upload vectors. The issue is tracked under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement).

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with minimal privileges can execute arbitrary PHP code on the WordPress host, leading to full site compromise when paired with file upload primitives.

Affected Products

Spirit Framework plugin for WordPress, all versions through 1.2.13
WordPress sites with Subscriber-level or higher registration enabled
Any deployment where attackers can place .php content on the filesystem

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-12 - CVE-2025-10269 published to NVD
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-10269

Vulnerability Analysis

The Spirit Framework plugin accepts user-controlled input that is passed to a PHP include or require statement without adequate validation. Because the resolved path is not constrained to a safe directory or whitelist, an authenticated attacker can supply a path that resolves to arbitrary .php files on the server. When the included file is executed in the WordPress process context, its PHP code runs with the privileges of the web server user.

The vulnerability requires authentication, but WordPress installations frequently allow open Subscriber registration. This lowers the practical barrier for exploitation. Attackers chaining this flaw with any feature that writes attacker-controlled .php content to disk, such as a separate upload vulnerability, profile image handler, or log file, can convert file inclusion into reliable remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of input used in a PHP file inclusion sink, classified under CWE-98. The plugin trusts a request parameter to construct an inclusion target and fails to enforce a directory allowlist, canonicalize the path, or restrict file extensions before invoking the include statement.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is performed over the network against the WordPress HTTP interface. An authenticated user issues a crafted request to a Spirit Framework endpoint, supplying a parameter that points at an attacker-chosen .php file already on the server. The plugin includes the file, executing its PHP code in the WordPress runtime. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis and Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-10269

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to Spirit Framework endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute filesystem paths in query or POST parameters
Unexpected PHP execution originating from non-plugin directories such as /wp-content/uploads/ or /tmp/
New or modified PHP files in WordPress upload directories that were not created by an administrator
Subscriber accounts performing requests to plugin endpoints normally exercised only by administrators

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for requests to Spirit Framework handlers that carry file path parameters referencing .php files
Correlate authenticated low-privilege user sessions with PHP error log entries indicating include or require operations against unusual paths
Apply WAF signatures that match LFI patterns including null bytes, traversal sequences, and absolute paths targeting plugin parameters

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring across wp-content/uploads/, wp-content/plugins/spirit-framework/, and any directory writable by the web server
Forward WordPress and PHP-FPM logs to a central SIEM and alert on anomalous include, require, or fopen activity
Track creation of new Subscriber accounts followed by requests to plugin administrative endpoints within short time windows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-10269

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Spirit Framework plugin to a version newer than 1.2.13 as soon as the vendor publishes a fixed release
Disable or remove the plugin on sites where an immediate update is not possible
Audit existing user accounts and remove unrecognized Subscriber-level registrations
Review wp-content/uploads/ and other writable directories for unauthorized .php files and remove them

Patch Information

At the time of NVD publication, the advisories from Patchstack and Wordfence identify all versions through 1.2.13 as vulnerable. Administrators should monitor the plugin's repository page and apply the vendor-supplied patch as soon as it is released.

Workarounds

Disable open user registration in WordPress settings to remove the low-privilege attacker path
Deploy a WAF rule blocking path traversal patterns and absolute path parameters on Spirit Framework endpoints
Restrict execution of PHP files in writable directories using web server configuration, for example denying PHP execution under wp-content/uploads/
Apply least-privilege filesystem permissions so the web server user cannot read sensitive system files outside the WordPress root

bash

# Example Apache configuration to block PHP execution in uploads
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/uploads">
    <FilesMatch "\.(php|phar|phtml)$">
        Require all denied
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>