CVE-2025-68002: Open User Map Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-68002 Overview

CVE-2025-68002 is a Path Traversal vulnerability affecting the Open User Map WordPress plugin developed by 100plugins. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with low privileges to traverse directory paths and download arbitrary files from the affected WordPress server, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and other confidential data.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability to download arbitrary files from the WordPress server, leading to sensitive information disclosure including wp-config.php and other critical system files.

Affected Products

• Open User Map WordPress Plugin versions through 1.4.16
• WordPress installations using vulnerable Open User Map plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2025-68002 published to NVD
• 2026-02-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-68002

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The Open User Map plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input used in file path operations, allowing attackers to escape the intended directory structure.

The attack requires network access and low-level authentication (such as a WordPress subscriber account). Once authenticated, an attacker can manipulate file path parameters to include directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../) to access files outside the plugin's intended scope. The vulnerability results in high confidentiality impact, as attackers can read arbitrary files from the server's filesystem.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation in the file download functionality of the Open User Map plugin. The plugin does not adequately sanitize or validate user-controlled input before using it to construct file paths, allowing malicious path traversal sequences to bypass directory restrictions.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires a valid WordPress user account with minimal privileges. An authenticated attacker can craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to access files outside the plugin's designated directories. This enables arbitrary file download, which could expose sensitive WordPress configuration files such as wp-config.php, backup files, or other confidential server data.

The exploitation does not require user interaction and operates within the scope of the vulnerable application. While the vulnerability does not directly allow file modification or code execution, the information obtained could facilitate further attacks against the WordPress installation or underlying server infrastructure.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-68002

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests to Open User Map plugin endpoints containing ../ or URL-encoded path traversal sequences (%2e%2e%2f)
• Access logs showing repeated requests for plugin file download functionality with varying path parameters
• Evidence of sensitive file access such as wp-config.php or /etc/passwd in server logs

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for requests containing path traversal patterns targeting the open-user-map plugin directory
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal sequences in request parameters
• Review authentication logs for accounts making suspicious file download requests through the plugin

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for WordPress plugin activity, particularly file operations
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on path traversal attack signatures
• Periodically audit access logs for anomalous patterns targeting plugin endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-68002

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Open User Map plugin to a patched version as soon as one becomes available from 100plugins
• Temporarily disable the Open User Map plugin if file download functionality is not critical to operations
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal sequences in requests to the plugin
• Review server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

Users should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for official patch availability and update instructions. The vulnerability affects Open User Map versions through 1.4.16, and users should upgrade to the latest patched version when released.

Workarounds

• Restrict access to the plugin's file download functionality through .htaccess rules or server-level access controls
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block path traversal patterns
• Limit WordPress user registration to reduce the attack surface for authenticated vulnerabilities
• Consider removing the plugin entirely if not essential to site operations until a patch is available

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