CVE-2025-69046: iRecco Core File Inclusion Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69046 Overview

CVE-2025-69046 is a PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the iRecco Core WordPress plugin developed by WebGeniusLab. The vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in PHP include/require statements, allowing attackers to include local files from the server filesystem. This can lead to sensitive information disclosure, arbitrary file reading, and potentially remote code execution through log poisoning or other chained attack techniques.

Critical Impact

Attackers can leverage this Local File Inclusion vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access credentials stored on the server, and potentially escalate to remote code execution through advanced exploitation techniques.

Affected Products

• WebGeniusLab iRecco Core plugin version 1.3.6 and earlier
• WordPress installations using vulnerable iRecco Core versions
• Websites utilizing iRecco theme with the affected core plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-22 - CVE CVE-2025-69046 published to NVD
• 2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69046

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program). The iRecco Core plugin fails to properly validate and sanitize user-controlled input before passing it to PHP's include() or require() functions. This allows an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to include arbitrary local files from the server filesystem.

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are particularly dangerous because they can expose sensitive configuration files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and authentication keys. Additionally, attackers may chain this vulnerability with other techniques like log file poisoning to achieve remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization within the iRecco Core plugin's file handling mechanisms. When the plugin processes user-supplied input to determine which files to include, it fails to implement proper security controls such as:

• Whitelist validation for allowed file paths
• Sanitization of directory traversal sequences (e.g., ../)
• Verification that requested files exist within expected directories

This oversight allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that escape intended directory boundaries and access files elsewhere on the server.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by authenticated or potentially unauthenticated users, depending on the specific plugin functionality that exposes the vulnerable code path. An attacker would typically craft a malicious HTTP request containing directory traversal sequences to manipulate the file path parameter.

For example, an attacker might target an endpoint that accepts a template or file parameter, injecting traversal sequences like ../../../../etc/passwd to read system files, or ../../../../wp-config.php to extract WordPress database credentials and security keys.

The exploitation does not require any specialized tools—standard web browsers or command-line utilities like curl can be used to send the crafted requests. Technical details and further information can be found in the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69046

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing directory traversal sequences (../) in URL parameters or POST data targeting iRecco Core plugin endpoints
• Web server access logs showing attempts to access sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or .htaccess through plugin parameters
• Unexpected file read operations originating from WordPress plugin directories
• Error logs indicating failed attempts to include non-existent or restricted files

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing common LFI patterns such as ../, ..%2f, or encoded traversal sequences
• Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting the iRecco Core plugin with unusual file path parameters
• Deploy endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying anomalous file access patterns from web server processes
• Utilize WordPress security plugins that can detect and alert on exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed access logging on web servers and configure log analysis tools to alert on traversal sequence patterns
• Set up file integrity monitoring for critical WordPress configuration files to detect unauthorized access
• Implement intrusion detection rules for network traffic analysis that can identify LFI exploitation attempts
• Review server-side logs regularly for any unusual PHP include errors or file access attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69046

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the iRecco Core plugin to a patched version if available from WebGeniusLab
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily disabling the iRecco Core plugin until a fix is released
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing directory traversal patterns
• Review web server access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin

Patch Information

Users should check for updates through the WordPress plugin repository or contact WebGeniusLab directly for patched versions. The vulnerability affects iRecco Core versions from n/a through 1.3.6. Monitor the Patchstack advisory for updated remediation guidance and patch availability announcements.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules specifically blocking LFI patterns and directory traversal attempts
• Implement server-level restrictions using open_basedir PHP directive to limit file access scope
• Use WordPress security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri that can provide virtual patching capabilities
• Restrict access to WordPress admin areas and plugin functionality to trusted IP addresses where possible

# Example Apache .htaccess rule to block common LFI patterns
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.\\) [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd|wp-config\.php) [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]