CVE-2025-68552: WooCommerce Coming Soon Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-68552 Overview

CVE-2025-68552 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the WooCommerce Coming Soon Product with Countdown plugin developed by WebCodingPlace. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, allowing attackers to include local files on the server through manipulation of file path parameters.

The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation when handling file paths in include or require statements within the plugin. An attacker can exploit this flaw to read sensitive files from the server, potentially exposing configuration files, credentials, or other sensitive data. In certain configurations, this could also lead to remote code execution if combined with other techniques such as log poisoning or file upload vulnerabilities.

Critical Impact
Attackers can leverage this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive server files, potentially exposing database credentials, WordPress configuration data, and other confidential information that could lead to full site compromise.

Affected Products

WooCommerce Coming Soon Product with Countdown plugin version 5.0 and earlier
WordPress installations running the vulnerable woo-coming-soon-product plugin
E-commerce sites utilizing the WooCommerce Coming Soon Product functionality

Discovery Timeline

2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-68552 published to NVD
2026-02-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-68552

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The WooCommerce Coming Soon Product with Countdown plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before using it in PHP include() or require() statements. This allows an attacker to manipulate the file path parameter to include arbitrary local files from the server's filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because WordPress installations often contain sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, which stores database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, attackers may be able to traverse directories to access system files like /etc/passwd on Linux servers.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization for file path parameters. The affected code likely accepts user input directly or indirectly and passes it to PHP's file inclusion functions without adequate security checks. This could include missing or insufficient path traversal filters, lack of allowlist validation for permitted file paths, and absence of input encoding or canonicalization.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves manipulating parameters that control file inclusion within the plugin. An attacker would typically craft malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ to navigate outside the intended directory and include sensitive files. The attack may be executed through URL parameters, POST data, or other input vectors processed by the plugin.

Successful exploitation requires the attacker to identify the vulnerable parameter and craft a request that bypasses any existing security measures. The vulnerability can potentially be exploited by unauthenticated users depending on the plugin's access controls, making it a significant security risk for WordPress sites using this plugin.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-68552

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual web server log entries containing directory traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) in requests to woo-coming-soon-product plugin endpoints
Access attempts to sensitive files such as wp-config.php, /etc/passwd, or other system configuration files through the plugin
Anomalous file read operations originating from the WordPress plugin directory
Error logs showing failed file inclusion attempts or unexpected file access patterns

Detection Strategies

Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block directory traversal patterns in HTTP requests
Monitor WordPress access logs for requests containing encoded path traversal sequences targeting the woo-coming-soon-product plugin
Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized access to sensitive configuration files
Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on LFI attack patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose logging for the WordPress installation and regularly review logs for suspicious activity
Set up real-time alerting for access attempts to wp-config.php or other sensitive WordPress files
Monitor for unusual PHP process behavior, including unexpected file reads outside the web root
Implement continuous vulnerability scanning to identify outdated or vulnerable plugins

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-68552

Immediate Actions Required

Disable or deactivate the WooCommerce Coming Soon Product with Countdown plugin until a patched version is available
Review server access logs for any signs of exploitation attempts
Verify the integrity of sensitive files including wp-config.php and check for unauthorized access
Implement WAF rules to block directory traversal attempts targeting the vulnerable plugin

Patch Information

At the time of this writing, organizations should check for updates from WebCodingPlace for the WooCommerce Coming Soon Product with Countdown plugin. The vulnerability affects versions through 5.0 and earlier. For detailed vulnerability information and patch status, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Analysis.

Workarounds

Temporarily deactivate the plugin by navigating to the WordPress admin panel and disabling woo-coming-soon-product under Plugins
Implement server-level access controls to restrict file access from the web application
Configure PHP open_basedir directive to limit file system access to the WordPress installation directory
Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically targeting LFI attack patterns
Consider alternative plugins with similar functionality until a security patch is released

bash

# Configuration example - Restrict PHP file access via open_basedir
# Add to your php.ini or .htaccess file
# This limits PHP's file access to specific directories

# php.ini example:
# open_basedir = /var/www/html:/tmp

# .htaccess example for Apache:
php_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"