CVE-2025-39379: Capturly Plugin LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-39379 Overview

CVE-2025-39379 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Capturly plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in the PHP program, which allows attackers to include local files on the server. This type of vulnerability can lead to sensitive information disclosure, arbitrary code execution, or full system compromise depending on the server configuration and accessible files.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials, or potentially achieve remote code execution through log poisoning or other file inclusion techniques.

Affected Products

• Capturly WordPress Plugin versions through 2.0.1
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable Capturly plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-24 - CVE CVE-2025-39379 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-39379

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The Capturly plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements. This allows an attacker to manipulate the file path parameter to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because they can expose critical WordPress configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, if the attacker can write content to any file on the server (such as through log files or uploaded images with embedded PHP), they may be able to escalate from LFI to Remote Code Execution.

The network-based attack vector means this vulnerability can be exploited remotely, though the high attack complexity indicates that successful exploitation may require specific conditions or user interaction.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient input validation and sanitization in the Capturly plugin's file handling logic. When the plugin processes requests that involve dynamic file inclusion, it does not adequately verify that the requested file path is within the intended directory scope. This allows path traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires no authentication. An attacker can craft malicious requests to the WordPress site running the vulnerable Capturly plugin, manipulating parameters to include local server files. The attacker may use path traversal techniques to navigate the directory structure and access sensitive files outside the plugin's intended scope.

The exploitation typically involves sending specially crafted HTTP requests with manipulated file path parameters. By including sequences like ../ in the payload, an attacker can traverse directories and include files such as /etc/passwd on Linux systems or wp-config.php to extract database credentials.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-39379

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting Capturly plugin endpoints
• Access log entries showing attempts to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or other configuration files
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or PHP warnings related to include/require statements
• Unexpected file access patterns in WordPress plugin directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts in request parameters
• Monitor server access logs for suspicious patterns targeting the capturly-optimize-your-website plugin directory
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Use intrusion detection systems configured to alert on LFI attack signatures

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for PHP file operations and include/require statements
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive system files from web server processes
• Monitor WordPress plugin activity logs for anomalous behavior from the Capturly plugin
• Implement real-time log analysis to detect path traversal patterns in incoming requests

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-39379

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Capturly plugin immediately if running version 2.0.1 or earlier
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all sites running the vulnerable plugin version
• Review server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Rotate database credentials and WordPress authentication keys if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

As of the CVE publication date, the vulnerability affects Capturly versions through 2.0.1. Users should check the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database for the latest patch information and updated versions. Contact the plugin vendor for confirmation of a patched release before re-enabling the plugin.

Workarounds

• Disable the Capturly plugin until a patched version is available and verified
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences to the plugin directory
• Restrict file system permissions to limit what files the web server process can access
• Use PHP open_basedir configuration to restrict file operations to specific directories
• Deploy network segmentation to limit the impact if the WordPress server is compromised

# WordPress plugin deactivation via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate capturly-optimize-your-website --path=/var/www/html

# Add WAF rule to block path traversal (example for Apache mod_rewrite)
# Add to .htaccess in WordPress root
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} \.\.\/ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} \.\.%2f [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]