CVE-2025-4414: CMSMasters Content Composer LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-4414 Overview

CVE-2025-4414 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the CMSMasters Content Composer plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from improper control of filenames used in PHP include or require statements [CWE-98]. Attackers can exploit unsanitized input to include arbitrary local files on the server, potentially leading to source code disclosure, sensitive data exposure, and remote code execution when combined with file upload primitives. All versions of CMSMasters Content Composer up to and including 2.5.7 are affected. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction, although exploitation complexity is rated high.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can include arbitrary local PHP files, leading to information disclosure and possible code execution on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• CMSMasters Content Composer WordPress plugin (cmsmasters-content-composer)
• All versions from initial release through and including 2.5.7
• WordPress sites with the affected plugin activated

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-07-04 - CVE-2025-4414 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-4414

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-98]: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program. The CMSMasters Content Composer plugin accepts a filename or path parameter that flows into a PHP include, include_once, require, or require_once statement without adequate validation or allow-listing. An attacker who controls the parameter value can force PHP to load and execute arbitrary files accessible to the web server process. While the advisory describes the issue as Remote File Inclusion in its CWE mapping, the confirmed exploitation primitive is Local File Inclusion, meaning attackers reference files already present on the host filesystem.

The attack surface is reachable over the network without prior authentication. Successful exploitation compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected site.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing or insufficient input validation on a parameter that is concatenated into a filesystem path before being passed to a PHP include directive. The plugin does not restrict the path to a known directory, does not enforce a strict allow-list of permitted files, and does not strip directory traversal sequences such as ../. Any PHP file the web server can read becomes a candidate for inclusion, and depending on server configuration log files or uploaded media can be coerced into executing attacker-supplied PHP.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint exposed by the plugin. The request supplies a manipulated path parameter referencing a target file on the local filesystem. The PHP interpreter resolves the path and executes the included file in the context of the WordPress process. Attackers commonly chain LFI with log poisoning, session file inclusion, or /proc/self/environ injection to achieve code execution. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Alert for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-4414

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to CMSMasters Content Composer endpoints containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or URL-encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f
• Requests referencing sensitive system files including wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or php://filter wrappers
• PHP error log entries reporting failed include or require operations on attacker-supplied paths
• Unexpected outbound connections or new PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ following suspicious request activity

Detection Strategies

• Inspect web server access logs for query parameters containing path traversal characters targeting plugin endpoints under wp-content/plugins/cmsmasters-content-composer/
• Deploy WAF rules that block LFI patterns including php://, file://, and encoded traversal sequences
• Monitor PHP-FPM and Apache error_log for failed to open stream warnings tied to plugin code paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Alert on file integrity changes within the WordPress webroot, especially new or modified PHP files in upload directories
• Track HTTP 200 responses to plugin endpoints with unusually large response bodies that may indicate file disclosure
• Correlate authentication anomalies and outbound connections originating from the WordPress host with prior suspicious plugin requests

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-4414

Immediate Actions Required

• Update CMSMasters Content Composer to a version newer than 2.5.7 once the vendor publishes a fixed release
• If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a fix is confirmed
• Audit web server and PHP logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts referencing plugin endpoints
• Rotate WordPress secrets in wp-config.php and database credentials if compromise indicators are found

Patch Information

The Patchstack advisory tracks remediation status for this issue. Administrators should consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Alert for the latest fixed version information and apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager or by replacing plugin files manually.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to plugin endpoints using web server access control lists or .htaccess rules until patched
• Configure PHP open_basedir to confine includable paths to the WordPress installation directory
• Disable allow_url_include in php.ini to prevent any remote inclusion escalation paths
• Deploy a WordPress-aware WAF with virtual patching rules from Patchstack or equivalent vendors

# Configuration example: harden PHP against file inclusion abuse
# /etc/php/8.x/fpm/php.ini
allow_url_include = Off
allow_url_fopen = Off
open_basedir = "/var/www/html:/tmp"

# Apache .htaccess: block direct access to plugin PHP files
<FilesMatch "\.php$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>