CVE-2025-1707: Review Schema WordPress Plugin RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-1707 Overview

CVE-2025-1707 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Review Schema plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 2.2.4. The flaw resides in how the plugin processes post meta data, allowing attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server. Authenticated users with contributor-level permissions or higher can exploit this issue to execute PHP code, bypass access controls, and access sensitive data. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-98] (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

Critical Impact
Authenticated contributors can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server through the plugin's post meta handling, leading to potential full site compromise.

Affected Products

Review Schema plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 2.2.4
WordPress installations with contributor-level user registration enabled
WordPress sites permitting PHP file uploads alongside the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

2025-03-11 - CVE-2025-1707 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-1707

Vulnerability Analysis

The Review Schema plugin fails to properly validate file paths supplied through post meta values before passing them to PHP include or require statements. This results in a Local File Inclusion condition classified under [CWE-98]. Attackers with contributor-level access can manipulate post meta data to specify arbitrary file paths on the server filesystem.

The vulnerable code path is located in the plugin's ReviewSchema.php shortcode handler. When the shortcode renders a review, it reads file paths from post meta without sanitization. PHP then executes the contents of the included file in the context of the web server.

The impact extends beyond simple file disclosure. Attackers can read sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, include log files containing attacker-controlled data, or execute previously uploaded PHP files. In environments where PHP file uploads are permitted, this vulnerability becomes a reliable remote code execution primitive.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing input validation on file paths retrieved from post meta storage. The plugin trusts user-controlled metadata as safe input for filesystem operations. PHP's include and require constructs execute any valid PHP code in the included file, making path validation mandatory.

Attack Vector

An attacker authenticates to WordPress as a contributor or higher-privileged user. The attacker creates or edits a post and sets a crafted post meta value pointing to a target file path. When the affected shortcode renders, the plugin includes the attacker-specified file. Review the WordPress Plugin Code Review for the precise vulnerable line, and the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis for additional technical detail.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1707

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected post meta entries containing filesystem paths, path traversal sequences (../), or references to PHP files outside the plugin directory
Web server access logs showing requests to pages rendering Review Schema shortcodes shortly after contributor account activity
New or modified PHP files in WordPress upload directories (wp-content/uploads/)
Outbound network connections originating from the PHP worker process to unfamiliar hosts

Detection Strategies

Audit the wp_postmeta table for entries associated with the Review Schema plugin containing suspicious file paths or traversal patterns
Monitor PHP error logs for include() or require() warnings referencing unexpected paths
Review contributor and author account activity for post creation patterns inconsistent with normal editorial workflow

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable file integrity monitoring on the WordPress installation directory and wp-content/uploads/
Log all WordPress user role changes and new user registrations at contributor level or above
Alert on PHP execution within upload directories using web server configuration or runtime application self-protection controls

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1707

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Review Schema plugin to a version newer than 2.2.4 that contains the fix referenced in the WordPress Plugin Changeset Log
Audit all contributor-level and higher accounts and remove any that are unnecessary or unrecognized
Review recent post meta entries for evidence of exploitation attempts
Restrict file upload MIME types to exclude PHP and other executable formats

Patch Information

The vendor addressed CVE-2025-1707 in a release following version 2.2.4. The fix is documented in the WordPress Plugin Changeset Log. Site administrators should apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager or via WP-CLI.

Workarounds

Deactivate the Review Schema plugin until the patched version can be installed
Tighten WordPress user role assignments and disable open contributor registration
Configure the web server to deny PHP execution within wp-content/uploads/ and other writable directories
Deploy a web application firewall rule to block path traversal sequences in post submission and shortcode rendering requests

bash

# Update the Review Schema plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin update review-schema

# Verify installed version
wp plugin get review-schema --field=version

# Deactivate the plugin if an update is not immediately available
wp plugin deactivate review-schema