CVE-2025-48125: WP Event Manager LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-48125 Overview

CVE-2025-48125 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the WP Event Manager plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include local files on the server. This can potentially lead to unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files, exposure of credentials, and in some cases, remote code execution when combined with other attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, configuration data, and other critical information that could lead to full site compromise.

Affected Products

• WP Event Manager WordPress plugin versions through 3.1.51
• WordPress sites running vulnerable WP Event Manager installations
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress configurations

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-09 - CVE-2025-48125 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48125

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The flaw exists in how the WP Event Manager plugin handles user-controlled input when constructing file paths for PHP include or require statements. Without proper sanitization and validation of file path parameters, an attacker can manipulate these inputs to traverse directories and include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem.

The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability means attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring any authentication or user interaction. While exploitation requires overcoming certain complexity factors, successful attacks can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation when processing filename parameters used in PHP include or require statements within the WP Event Manager plugin. The plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input, allowing directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to be injected into file paths. This enables attackers to escape the intended directory context and access files elsewhere on the filesystem.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and targets the file inclusion functionality in the WP Event Manager plugin. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal payloads that manipulate the file inclusion mechanism. Typical attack patterns include:

The attacker sends requests with manipulated path parameters containing sequences like ../../../wp-config.php to traverse directories and include sensitive WordPress configuration files. If the server configuration allows, attackers may also be able to include log files containing injected PHP code, potentially achieving remote code execution.

This vulnerability does not require authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the WordPress installation. The complexity of successful exploitation is considered high, which may require specific server configurations or additional conditions to be present.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48125

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ..%5c) targeting WP Event Manager plugin endpoints
• Web server access logs showing requests with encoded directory traversal patterns
• Unexpected file access events in server audit logs, particularly for sensitive files like wp-config.php or /etc/passwd
• Error logs indicating PHP include/require failures with unusual file paths

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in request parameters
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences
• Enable PHP error logging and monitor for include/require statement failures with suspicious paths
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on critical configuration files to detect unauthorized access attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to WP Event Manager plugin endpoints with abnormal path parameters
• Set up alerts for multiple failed file inclusion attempts from single IP addresses
• Track changes to WordPress core configuration files and plugin directories
• Implement real-time log analysis for path traversal attack signatures

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48125

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WP Event Manager to the latest patched version beyond 3.1.51 immediately
• Audit your WordPress installation for signs of exploitation or unauthorized file access
• Review web server access logs for any suspicious requests targeting the affected plugin
• Consider temporarily disabling the WP Event Manager plugin until a patch is applied

Patch Information

Organizations should update the WP Event Manager plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability. Refer to the Patchstack vulnerability database for detailed patch information and the latest security updates. Always verify plugin updates from the official WordPress plugin repository.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules configured to block path traversal attacks on WordPress plugin endpoints
• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP directive to limit file access scope
• Configure .htaccess or web server rules to block requests containing directory traversal sequences
• Apply principle of least privilege to file system permissions, ensuring web server processes cannot read sensitive configuration files outside the web root

# Example Apache .htaccess rule to block path traversal attempts
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]

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