CVE-2025-24569: Elementor PDF Generator Path Traversal

CVE-2025-24569 Overview

A Path Traversal vulnerability has been identified in the PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder WordPress plugin developed by RedefiningTheWeb. This vulnerability (CWE-22) allows attackers to traverse directory paths and potentially access arbitrary files on the affected server through improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive files outside the intended directory, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, and other confidential data stored on the web server.

Affected Products

• PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder versions up to and including 1.7.5
• WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin active
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-02-03 - CVE-2025-24569 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24569

Vulnerability Analysis

This Path Traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when handling file paths within the PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder plugin. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that specifies file paths, allowing malicious actors to manipulate path parameters to access files and directories outside the intended web root.

The vulnerability enables arbitrary file read operations, which can be leveraged to exfiltrate sensitive information such as wp-config.php, database credentials, API keys, and other configuration files typically stored on WordPress installations.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-24569 lies in the improper limitation of pathname input to restricted directories. The plugin does not adequately validate or sanitize file path parameters before using them in file operations. This allows attackers to inject directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory structure and access arbitrary files on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves crafting malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to manipulate file read operations. An attacker can submit specially crafted input containing directory traversal characters to navigate outside the plugin's intended file access scope. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive files on the server, limited only by the file permissions of the web server process.

The vulnerability is particularly concerning in shared hosting environments where attackers might be able to access files belonging to other sites on the same server. Successful exploitation requires no authentication, making this an easily exploitable vulnerability for remote attackers.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24569

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing ../ sequences targeting the PDF Generator Addon endpoints
• Unexpected file access attempts in web server logs referencing sensitive files like wp-config.php or /etc/passwd
• Access log entries showing requests with encoded path traversal sequences such as %2e%2e%2f
• Anomalous reading patterns for files outside the plugin's intended directory scope

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting the affected plugin
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems configured to alert on path traversal attack signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress installation and monitor for suspicious file access patterns
• Set up alerts for any access attempts to sensitive files like wp-config.php from web-accessible endpoints
• Review PHP error logs for file operation failures that may indicate exploitation attempts
• Monitor for unusual outbound data transfers that could indicate successful data exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24569

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder to a patched version immediately if available
• If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin until a security update is released
• Review server logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting this plugin

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates regarding security patches. Contact RedefiningTheWeb or check the WordPress plugin repository for the latest secure version of the PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the PDF Generator Addon for Elementor Page Builder plugin until a security patch is available
• Implement server-level restrictions using .htaccess or nginx configuration to limit file access
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules to block path traversal attacks
• Restrict file system permissions to minimize the impact of potential exploitation

# Example .htaccess rule to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]