CVE-2025-30635: IDonatePro Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-30635 Overview

CVE-2025-30635 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the ThemeAtelier IDonatePro WordPress plugin. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server. This type of vulnerability can lead to information disclosure, privilege escalation, and potentially remote code execution when combined with other attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers may exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive files, access configuration data, or chain with other vulnerabilities to achieve remote code execution on vulnerable WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• ThemeAtelier IDonatePro (idonate-pro) plugin versions up to and including 2.1.9
• WordPress installations running vulnerable IDonatePro versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-08-14 - CVE-2025-30635 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-30635

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The IDonatePro plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate user-controlled input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements. When user input is passed directly to file inclusion functions without proper validation, attackers can manipulate the file path to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

The network-accessible attack vector means exploitation can occur remotely without any prior authentication, though the high attack complexity indicates that successful exploitation may require specific conditions or additional steps to be met.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the IDonatePro plugin's PHP code. The plugin accepts user-supplied input and uses it to construct file paths for PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions without adequate sanitization. This allows attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to break out of the intended directory and access sensitive files elsewhere on the server.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by unauthenticated attackers. A typical attack scenario involves:

1. An attacker identifies a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of IDonatePro
2. The attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences
3. The vulnerable plugin processes the input and includes an unintended local file
4. Sensitive information is disclosed or malicious code is executed

Common targets for LFI attacks include WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php), system files (/etc/passwd), log files that may contain injected PHP code, or session files. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-30635

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns such as ../, ..%2f, or ..%252f targeting IDonatePro plugin endpoints
• Web server access logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or log files through plugin parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP error logs indicating include/require failures for non-standard file paths
• Evidence of sensitive file contents being exfiltrated or configuration data being accessed

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing directory traversal sequences targeting WordPress plugin paths
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress files including wp-config.php and core installation files
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on suspicious patterns matching LFI exploitation attempts
• Review web server access logs regularly for anomalous requests to the idonate-pro plugin directory

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for PHP include/require operations to capture attempted file inclusion paths
• Monitor for unusual process spawning or file access from the web server process that could indicate successful LFI exploitation
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive system files from web application contexts
• Track changes to WordPress plugin files and configurations that could indicate post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-30635

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the IDonatePro plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• If an update is not available, consider temporarily deactivating the IDonatePro plugin until a patch is released
• Review web server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts or successful attacks
• Implement WAF rules to block directory traversal patterns as a temporary protective measure

Patch Information

Organizations should check with ThemeAtelier for the latest security updates addressing this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects IDonatePro versions through 2.1.9. For detailed patch information and remediation guidance, consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Implement strict input validation at the web server or WAF level to filter directory traversal sequences before they reach the application
• Use PHP configuration settings such as open_basedir to restrict file access to specific directories
• Disable unnecessary PHP file inclusion functions if not required by your WordPress installation
• Apply the principle of least privilege to web server file permissions to limit the impact of successful exploitation

# Example: Configure open_basedir in php.ini to restrict file access
# Add to php.ini or site-specific PHP configuration
open_basedir = /var/www/html/wordpress:/tmp

# Example: ModSecurity WAF rule to block LFI attempts
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains ../" "id:1001,phase:1,deny,status:403,msg:'Directory Traversal Attempt Blocked'"