CVE-2025-48338: WP Abstracts LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-48338 Overview

CVE-2025-48338 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the WP Abstracts (wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager) WordPress plugin developed by Kevon Adonis. 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 lead to sensitive information disclosure, code execution, or full server compromise depending on the files accessible on the target system.

Critical Impact

This Local File Inclusion vulnerability enables attackers to read sensitive files on the WordPress server, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, and other critical data. In certain configurations, LFI can be chained with other techniques to achieve remote code execution.

Affected Products

• WP Abstracts WordPress plugin versions up to and including 2.7.4
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager plugin
• Any WordPress site with the WP Abstracts plugin enabled

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-10-22 - CVE-2025-48338 published to NVD
• 2026-04-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-48338

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The WP Abstracts plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include or require statements. This allows an attacker to manipulate file paths and include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in WordPress environments because attackers can potentially access sensitive files such as wp-config.php (containing database credentials), .htaccess files, or server configuration files like /etc/passwd. In more advanced scenarios, attackers may leverage LFI to include log files containing injected PHP code, effectively escalating the vulnerability to remote code execution.

The network-based attack vector requires user interaction and has high attack complexity, but successful exploitation can result in high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-48338 lies in the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization for file path parameters used in PHP's include() or require() functions. The vulnerable code accepts user-controlled input (such as template names, page identifiers, or language parameters) and directly incorporates it into file inclusion statements without adequate filtering of directory traversal sequences like ../ or validation against a whitelist of allowed files.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and targets WordPress installations running the vulnerable WP Abstracts plugin. An attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request containing path traversal sequences in a vulnerable parameter. When the server processes this request, the manipulated filename is passed to a PHP include statement, causing the server to read and potentially execute the contents of the specified local file.

Common exploitation techniques include:

• Using directory traversal sequences (../../../) to escape the plugin directory
• Targeting sensitive configuration files like wp-config.php
• Attempting to include log files that may contain injected malicious PHP code
• Reading system files to gather reconnaissance information

For technical details on the specific vulnerable parameters and exploitation methods, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48338

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to WordPress containing path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting WP Abstracts plugin endpoints
• Web server logs showing requests with suspicious file paths such as /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or log file paths
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or unexpected file access patterns
• Evidence of sensitive file contents in server response bodies

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests targeting /wp-content/plugins/wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager/
• Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive WordPress files
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on LFI-specific attack signatures
• Monitor PHP error logs for include/require warnings referencing unexpected file paths

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all HTTP requests to WordPress installations running WP Abstracts
• Set up alerts for access attempts to sensitive files outside the WordPress web root
• Monitor for unusual patterns in plugin-related endpoint traffic
• Implement real-time log analysis to detect path traversal attempts in request parameters

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48338

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the WP Abstracts plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling the WP Abstracts plugin until a fix is released
• Review web server access logs for any signs of exploitation attempts
• Audit WordPress file permissions to ensure sensitive files are properly protected
• Implement a Web Application Firewall with rules to block path traversal attacks

Patch Information

Organizations should check the official WordPress plugin repository or the Patchstack advisory for information on available patches. All WP Abstracts installations running version 2.7.4 or earlier are affected and should be updated as soon as a patched version becomes available.

Workarounds

• Disable the WP Abstracts plugin if it is not critical to site functionality until a patch is available
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter requests containing path traversal sequences
• Apply PHP open_basedir restrictions to limit file access to the WordPress directory
• Use server-level configuration to restrict PHP's ability to include files outside designated directories
• Consider implementing additional access controls for the plugin's endpoints through .htaccess rules

# Apache configuration to restrict access to the vulnerable plugin directory
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager">
    # Enable URL rewriting
    RewriteEngine On
    
    # Block requests containing path traversal patterns
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|%2e%2e/) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</Directory>

# PHP configuration to restrict file inclusion paths
# Add to php.ini or .user.ini
# open_basedir = /var/www/html/