CVE-2025-47586: Motors Events PHP File Inclusion Flaw

CVE-2025-47586 Overview

CVE-2025-47586 is a critical Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the StylemixThemes Motors - Events WordPress plugin. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, classified under CWE-98 (PHP Remote File Inclusion). This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to include arbitrary local files on the server through manipulated input parameters, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure, code execution, or complete server compromise.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely to include local files on WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of the Motors - Events plugin, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, or achieving code execution through log poisoning techniques.

Affected Products

• StylemixThemes Motors - Events plugin versions through 1.4.7
• WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin versions
• All platforms running PHP-based WordPress with the vulnerable plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-06 - CVE-2025-47586 published to NVD
• 2025-06-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47586

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation when processing user-supplied data that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements within the Motors - Events plugin. The vulnerability is particularly severe because it requires no authentication, allowing any remote attacker to attempt exploitation. The attack can be conducted over the network without user interaction, and successful exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component's security scope.

The underlying issue is categorized as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), which occurs when the application uses user input to construct file paths for PHP include functions without proper sanitization. While the vulnerability is labeled as "Remote File Inclusion" in some classifications, the exploitable behavior confirmed by security researchers is Local File Inclusion.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-47586 lies in the Motors - Events plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-controlled input before using it in PHP file inclusion operations. The plugin accepts filename or path parameters from user requests and directly incorporates them into include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() function calls without adequate filtering. This allows attackers to traverse directories or specify arbitrary local files to be included and processed by the PHP interpreter.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via network-based attacks against WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin. Attackers can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (such as ../) or absolute file paths targeting sensitive system files. Common exploitation targets include:

• WordPress configuration files (wp-config.php) containing database credentials
• System files like /etc/passwd for user enumeration
• Log files for log poisoning attacks that can lead to remote code execution
• Other PHP files that may contain sensitive configuration data

Successful exploitation could result in full disclosure of sensitive configuration data, credential theft, or when combined with other techniques like log poisoning, complete server compromise through remote code execution.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47586

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to WordPress endpoints containing path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, ..%252f)
• Web server logs showing requests with file paths like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or system log files in query parameters
• Unexpected file access patterns in PHP include-related error logs
• Access to the Motors - Events plugin endpoints with suspicious parameter values

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Monitor WordPress access logs for requests containing directory traversal sequences or references to sensitive files
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to configuration files
• Configure real-time alerting for any access attempts to sensitive system files from web application processes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress application and associated plugins
• Set up alerts for HTTP requests containing encoded path traversal sequences (%2e%2e%2f, %252e%252e%252f)
• Monitor for unusual file read operations originating from the web server process
• Implement network-level monitoring for outbound data exfiltration following potential exploitation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47586

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Motors - Events plugin to a version newer than 1.4.7 when a patch becomes available
• Temporarily disable the Motors - Events plugin if it is not critical to site functionality
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting WordPress
• Review access logs for signs of exploitation attempts or successful compromise
• Audit WordPress configuration files for potential unauthorized access or modifications

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for the latest information on available patches and remediation guidance from the vendor. Update the Motors - Events plugin to the latest available version as soon as a security fix is released by StylemixThemes.

Workarounds

• Disable the Motors - Events plugin until an official patch is available
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter requests containing path traversal patterns
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin directories through server-level access controls
• Use PHP open_basedir directive to limit the directories that PHP can access
• Deploy additional security plugins that provide runtime application protection

# Example .htaccess rules to block path traversal attempts
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|wp-config) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>

# PHP open_basedir restriction (in php.ini or .user.ini)
# open_basedir = /var/www/html:/tmp