CVE-2025-46256: Database Cleaner PRO Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-46256 Overview

A path traversal vulnerability has been identified in the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO WordPress plugin, affecting versions through 3.2.10. This vulnerability, classified as CWE-35 (Path Traversal: '.../...//' sequence), allows authenticated attackers to traverse directory structures and potentially access or modify files outside the intended directory scope.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers with low privileges can exploit this path traversal vulnerability to access restricted file paths, potentially leading to unauthorized file access and limited integrity/availability impact on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

• Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin versions through 3.2.10
• WordPress installations using vulnerable versions of the plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-07 - CVE-2025-46256 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-46256

Vulnerability Analysis

This path traversal vulnerability exists within the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin, a WordPress plugin designed to help administrators manage and clean database entries. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path inputs using sequences like .../...//' to escape the intended directory boundaries.

The scope of this vulnerability extends beyond the vulnerable component itself, as indicated by the changed scope metric. While the attack requires low-level authentication (subscriber or contributor roles may suffice), no user interaction is needed to exploit it. The impact is characterized by limited integrity and availability compromise, meaning attackers can potentially modify certain files or cause limited service disruption.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of file path parameters within the plugin. The application fails to properly neutralize special path elements such as ../ sequences and their variations (.../...//'), allowing attackers to traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope. This is a classic CWE-35 vulnerability where user-controllable input is used to construct file paths without adequate security controls.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and can be executed remotely against any WordPress installation running the vulnerable plugin version. An attacker must first obtain valid credentials with at least low-level privileges on the target WordPress site. Once authenticated, the attacker can craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to access files outside the designated plugin directories.

The attack complexity is low, requiring no special conditions or configurations beyond basic authentication. The traversal sequences allow bypassing directory restrictions to potentially access sensitive configuration files, logs, or other restricted content within the server's file system hierarchy.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-46256

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin endpoints containing path traversal sequences (../, .../...//')
• Access log entries showing requests with encoded directory traversal patterns (%2e%2e%2f, %2e%2e%5c)
• Unexpected file access patterns in plugin-related directories
• Error logs indicating file access attempts outside expected paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor WordPress access logs for suspicious requests targeting the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive directories to detect unauthorized access attempts
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on CWE-35 related attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress installation and monitor for path traversal indicators
• Set up alerts for any requests containing ../ or encoded variants targeting plugin endpoints
• Regularly audit user accounts with authenticated access to identify potential compromise vectors
• Monitor file system access logs for unusual read operations on sensitive files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-46256

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Advanced Database Cleaner PRO to a patched version higher than 3.2.10 when available
• Review and restrict user privileges to minimize the number of accounts that could exploit this vulnerability
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts as a compensating control
• Audit recent access logs for any signs of exploitation

Patch Information

A security patch addressing this vulnerability should be obtained from the plugin vendor (SigmaPlugin). Organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates and patch availability. Until a patch is available, implement the workarounds listed below.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin if its functionality is not critical
• Restrict plugin access to only highly trusted administrator accounts
• Implement server-level restrictions using .htaccess or nginx configuration to limit access to plugin files
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically targeting path traversal patterns

# Example .htaccess rule to block path traversal attempts
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\%2f|\.\.\%5c) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.\%2f|\.\.\%5c) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>