CVE-2025-3431: ZoomSounds WordPress File Read Vulnerability

CVE-2025-3431 Overview

CVE-2025-3431 affects the ZoomSounds WordPress Wave Audio Player with Playlist plugin developed by Digital Zoom Studio. The vulnerability exists in all plugin versions up to and including 6.91. The dzsap_download action fails to properly restrict file path inputs, allowing unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files on the underlying server. Successful exploitation exposes sensitive data including WordPress configuration files, database credentials, and authentication secrets stored in wp-config.php. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-73] (External Control of File Name or Path).

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can read arbitrary files from WordPress servers running ZoomSounds 6.91 or earlier, exposing credentials and sensitive configuration data.

Affected Products

• Digital Zoom Studio ZoomSounds plugin for WordPress
• All versions up to and including 6.91
• WordPress sites distributing the plugin via CodeCanyon

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-08 - CVE-2025-3431 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2025-06-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-3431

Vulnerability Analysis

The ZoomSounds plugin registers a dzsap_download action handler used to deliver audio files to site visitors. The handler accepts a file path parameter from the HTTP request and reads the referenced file from disk without validating that the target resides within an allowed directory. Because the action is exposed without authentication, any remote client can invoke it.

Attackers can supply path traversal sequences or absolute paths to retrieve files outside the plugin's media directory. Common targets include wp-config.php, .env files, SSH keys, and operating system files such as /etc/passwd. The vulnerability returns file contents directly in the HTTP response, giving attackers immediate access to sensitive material.

The weakness has an EPSS probability of 0.485% as of May 2026. While exploitation has not been confirmed in CISA KEV, plugin-based file disclosure flaws are routinely incorporated into automated WordPress scanners.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper restriction of a user-controlled file path passed to a file read primitive. The dzsap_download handler trusts request-supplied input and lacks both path canonicalization and a base-directory allowlist. The handler also omits capability checks, meaning unauthenticated requests reach the vulnerable code path.

Attack Vector

An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the WordPress site invoking the dzsap_download action with a file path parameter pointing at the target file. No authentication, user interaction, or special privileges are required. The attack is fully remote over the network and produces the file contents in the response body. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3431

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to admin-ajax.php or plugin endpoints containing the dzsap_download action parameter
• Request parameters containing path traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or absolute paths like /etc/passwd
• Outbound responses serving content of wp-config.php, .env, or other sensitive server files
• Unusual file read activity originating from the web server user account targeting paths outside the WordPress uploads directory

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web server access logs for requests containing action=dzsap_download combined with path traversal patterns
• Deploy web application firewall rules that block traversal sequences in query strings and POST bodies targeting WordPress AJAX endpoints
• Monitor file integrity and access logs on the WordPress host for reads of wp-config.php by the PHP process outside expected operations
• Correlate spikes in 200-status responses from the dzsap_download action with abnormal response body sizes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for retention and correlation
• Alert on any unauthenticated request to dzsap_download referencing paths outside the plugin's media directories
• Track plugin inventory and version data across WordPress fleets to identify hosts still running ZoomSounds 6.91 or earlier
• Review egress traffic for large responses to AJAX endpoints, which may indicate file exfiltration

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3431

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the ZoomSounds plugin to the latest version released after 6.91 that addresses the dzsap_download flaw
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all sites running ZoomSounds and prioritize patching internet-facing hosts
• Rotate any secrets, database credentials, and API keys stored in wp-config.php if exploitation is suspected
• Review web server access logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing the vulnerable action

Patch Information

Digital Zoom Studio distributes ZoomSounds through the CodeCanyon marketplace. Site administrators should download the latest patched release from the CodeCanyon ZoomSounds product page and apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager. Verify the installed version is greater than 6.91 after upgrading.

Workarounds

• Disable or remove the ZoomSounds plugin until a patched version can be deployed
• Configure a web application firewall to block requests containing action=dzsap_download paired with traversal sequences or absolute paths
• Restrict access to WordPress AJAX endpoints via IP allowlisting where the audio player is only used in authenticated contexts
• Apply filesystem-level controls so the PHP process cannot read sensitive files such as wp-config.php outside expected directories

# Example WAF rule pattern to block exploitation attempts
# ModSecurity rule blocking dzsap_download with path traversal
SecRule ARGS:action "@streq dzsap_download" \
    "id:1003431,phase:2,deny,status:403,\
    chain,msg:'CVE-2025-3431 ZoomSounds arbitrary file read attempt'"
    SecRule ARGS "@rx (\.\./|\.\.%2f|^/etc/|wp-config\.php)" \
        "t:lowercase,t:urlDecodeUni"