CVE-2025-14867: WordPress Flashcard Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-14867 Overview

CVE-2025-14867 is a Path Traversal vulnerability affecting the Flashcard plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 0.9. The vulnerability exists in the source attribute of the flashcard shortcode, allowing authenticated attackers with contributor-level access or higher to read arbitrary files on the server. This can lead to exposure of sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and other confidential information stored on the web server.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration secrets, and other confidential data that could facilitate further attacks on the system.

Affected Products

• WordPress Flashcard plugin version 0.9 and earlier
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Flashcard shortcode functionality
• Any system where contributor-level users have access to post content with shortcodes

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE-2025-14867 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-14867

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The Flashcard plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input in the source attribute of its shortcode implementation. When processing flashcard content, the plugin directly uses the provided file path without adequate validation, enabling attackers to traverse outside the intended directory structure using sequences like ../.

The vulnerability requires authentication at the contributor level, which limits the attack surface to authenticated users who can create or edit posts. However, in multi-author WordPress environments or sites that allow user registration with contributor capabilities, this presents a significant risk. The confidentiality impact is high as attackers can access any file readable by the web server process, while integrity and availability remain unaffected.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the flashcard.php file where user input from the source shortcode attribute is processed without proper path canonicalization or validation. The code at line 73 accepts file paths that can include directory traversal sequences (../), allowing attackers to escape the intended directory and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

The plugin lacks essential security controls such as:

• Input sanitization to remove or reject path traversal characters
• Basename extraction to limit access to a specific directory
• Realpath validation to ensure the resolved path stays within allowed boundaries
• Whitelist-based path validation

Attack Vector

The attack is executed over the network by authenticated users with at least contributor-level privileges. An attacker would craft a malicious shortcode within a post or page, using the source attribute to specify a path containing directory traversal sequences. For example, an attacker might attempt to read the WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php) or system files like /etc/passwd by manipulating the path parameter.

The attack flow involves:

1. Attacker authenticates to WordPress with contributor or higher privileges
2. Attacker creates or edits a post containing a malicious [flashcard] shortcode
3. The shortcode's source attribute contains path traversal sequences targeting sensitive files
4. When the page is rendered, the plugin reads and potentially exposes the contents of the targeted file

Technical details and the vulnerable code snippet can be found in the WordPress Plugin Code Snippet reference.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-14867

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of suspicious [flashcard] shortcodes containing ../ sequences in post content
• Web server logs showing requests with path traversal patterns in flashcard-related parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in server audit logs, particularly accessing configuration files
• Error logs indicating file read operations outside the plugin directory

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor WordPress post content for shortcodes containing suspicious path sequences or references to system files
• Review Apache/Nginx access logs for anomalous file access patterns associated with the Flashcard plugin
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive configuration files like wp-config.php

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for WordPress shortcode execution and file operations
• Configure SIEM alerts for path traversal attempt patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/)
• Monitor for unusual file read operations by the web server user, especially targeting configuration files
• Audit contributor and author user activities for suspicious post editing patterns

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-14867

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or remove the Flashcard plugin immediately if it is not essential for site operations
• Review all existing posts and pages for malicious shortcodes containing path traversal sequences
• Audit contributor and author user accounts and temporarily restrict their access if necessary
• Implement additional access controls on sensitive server files

Patch Information

As of the last update, users should check the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and remediation guidance. The vulnerability affects version 0.9 and all prior versions of the Flashcard plugin. Monitor the WordPress plugin repository for security updates from the plugin maintainer.

Workarounds

• Deactivate the Flashcard plugin until a patched version is available
• Implement WAF rules to filter requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the flashcard functionality
• Restrict contributor-level user registrations and audit existing contributor accounts
• Use WordPress security plugins like Wordfence to add an additional layer of protection against path traversal attacks

# Configuration example - Apache mod_rewrite to block path traversal attempts
# Add to .htaccess file in WordPress root directory
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    # Block requests containing path traversal sequences
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>