CVE-2025-39461: Docket Cache Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-39461 Overview

CVE-2025-39461 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Docket Cache WordPress plugin developed by Nawawi Jamili. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program).

This vulnerability allows attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server's file system, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, or in some scenarios, remote code execution if combined with other techniques such as log poisoning.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive server files, access WordPress configuration credentials, or potentially achieve code execution through file inclusion chains.

Affected Products

• Docket Cache WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 24.07.02
• WordPress installations running vulnerable Docket Cache versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-04-17 - CVE-2025-39461 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-39461

Vulnerability Analysis

The Docket Cache plugin contains a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability that arises from insufficient validation of user-controlled input used in file inclusion operations. When PHP's include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() functions process unsanitized input, attackers can manipulate the file path to include arbitrary local files from the server.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because they can expose critical files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. The network-based attack vector means exploitation can occur remotely, though the high attack complexity indicates specific conditions must be met for successful exploitation.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper input validation and sanitization of filename parameters before they are passed to PHP's file inclusion functions. The plugin fails to adequately restrict or sanitize the file path input, allowing attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to navigate outside intended directories and include sensitive local files.

This type of vulnerability typically occurs when developers dynamically construct file paths using user input without implementing proper allowlisting, path canonicalization, or restricting the inclusion to a specific directory.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires user interaction along with specific conditions to be met. An attacker would craft a malicious request containing path traversal sequences to manipulate the file inclusion path. The exploitation typically follows this pattern:

1. Attacker identifies the vulnerable parameter accepting file path input
2. Attacker crafts a request with directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../../etc/passwd)
3. The vulnerable PHP code includes the specified file
4. Server returns the contents of the included file or executes PHP code within it

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Docket Cache Vulnerability advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-39461

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ....//) targeting the Docket Cache plugin
• Web server logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or .htaccess
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP include operations
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts outside normal plugin directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal sequences in request parameters
• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting /wp-content/plugins/docket-cache/
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
• Utilize SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect anomalous file access patterns indicative of LFI exploitation

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress installation and monitor for unusual file access attempts
• Configure alerts for requests containing encoded traversal sequences (%2e%2e%2f, %252e%252e%252f)
• Monitor PHP error logs for inclusion warnings or failures related to non-existent or restricted files
• Implement real-time log analysis to correlate multiple failed inclusion attempts from the same source

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-39461

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable the Docket Cache plugin immediately if running version 24.07.02 or earlier
• Review web server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts
• Verify the integrity of sensitive files such as wp-config.php and ensure no unauthorized access occurred
• Apply the latest security patches as they become available from the plugin author

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the official Docket Cache plugin repository and the Patchstack vulnerability database for updated versions that address this vulnerability. Update to the latest available version once a patched release is confirmed.

Workarounds

• Temporarily deactivate the Docket Cache plugin until a patched version is available
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the plugin
• Restrict PHP's open_basedir directive to limit file inclusion to specific directories
• Apply server-level hardening to prevent access to sensitive files through web requests

# Configuration example - Add to .htaccess or server config to block traversal attempts
# Apache mod_rewrite rules to block path traversal
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]

# PHP open_basedir restriction in php.ini or .htaccess
# php_admin_value open_basedir /var/www/html/:/tmp/