CVE-2025-52809: NWS Alerts Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-52809 Overview

CVE-2025-52809 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the National Weather Service Alerts WordPress plugin developed by John Russell. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include arbitrary local files from the server. This could lead to sensitive information disclosure, configuration file exposure, or potentially remote code execution if combined with other techniques such as log poisoning.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this LFI vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration files, and other critical system information.

Affected Products

• National Weather Service Alerts WordPress Plugin versions up to and including 1.3.5
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-52809 published to NVD
• 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-52809

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The National Weather Service Alerts plugin fails to properly sanitize user-controlled input before using it in PHP file inclusion operations. This allows an attacker to manipulate the file path parameter to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem.

The vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network, though the attack complexity is considered high due to the specific conditions required for successful exploitation. A successful attack can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently used in PHP include(), require(), include_once(), or require_once() statements. The plugin does not adequately verify that the requested file path is within expected boundaries, allowing path traversal sequences to escape the intended directory structure.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and does not require user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (such as ../) to navigate outside the intended directory and include sensitive files. Common targets include:

• /etc/passwd for user enumeration on Linux systems
• wp-config.php for WordPress database credentials
• Server log files for log poisoning attacks
• Other PHP files that may contain sensitive logic or credentials

The vulnerability mechanism involves manipulating file path parameters in HTTP requests to the plugin's endpoints. When the plugin processes these requests without proper sanitization, it includes the attacker-specified file, executing any PHP code within or disclosing its contents.

For detailed technical information, refer to the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-52809

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to National Weather Service Alerts plugin endpoints containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, ..%252f)
• Unusual access patterns to plugin files with encoded or obfuscated directory traversal attempts
• Web server logs showing requests attempting to access sensitive system files like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
• Unexpected file access errors or PHP warnings related to file inclusion

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Monitor WordPress plugin directories for unexpected file access or modifications
• Configure IDS/IPS signatures to alert on LFI attack patterns targeting WordPress installations
• Review web server access logs for suspicious requests containing encoded path traversal sequences

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on web servers and WordPress installations to capture detailed request information
• Set up real-time alerting for requests containing common LFI indicators such as ../, null bytes, or wrapper protocols
• Monitor for unusual PHP file inclusion errors in application logs
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-52809

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate the National Weather Service Alerts plugin immediately if running version 1.3.5 or earlier
• Review web server logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit WordPress installations for any signs of compromise or unauthorized file access
• Consider implementing a Web Application Firewall with LFI protection rules as a temporary measure

Patch Information

Check the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest information on available patches. Users should update to a patched version as soon as one becomes available from the plugin developer.

Workarounds

• Disable or remove the National Weather Service Alerts plugin until a security patch is available
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the affected plugin
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities
• Restrict file system permissions to limit the impact of potential LFI exploitation

# Example: Disable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate national-weather-service-alerts

# Example: Add .htaccess rules to block common LFI patterns
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess file
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f|\.\.%252f) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]