CVE-2025-69387: Simple Retail Menus LFI Vulnerability

CVE-2025-69387 Overview

CVE-2025-69387 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the Simple Retail Menus WordPress plugin developed by whatwouldjessedo. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename for include/require statements in PHP, classified as CWE-98 (PHP Remote File Inclusion). Despite being categorized under remote file inclusion, this specific vulnerability enables PHP Local File Inclusion attacks, allowing malicious actors to include arbitrary local files from the server.

The vulnerability affects all versions of the Simple Retail Menus plugin from an unspecified starting version through version 4.2.1. This flaw can be exploited remotely over the network, though exploitation requires user interaction and involves higher attack complexity.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation could allow attackers to read sensitive server files, potentially leading to information disclosure, configuration exposure, and in some scenarios, remote code execution through log poisoning or other chained techniques.

Affected Products

• Simple Retail Menus WordPress Plugin versions through 4.2.1
• WordPress installations with the Simple Retail Menus plugin active
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE-2025-69387 published to NVD
• 2026-02-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69387

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exploits improper input validation in the Simple Retail Menus plugin's file inclusion mechanism. The plugin fails to adequately sanitize user-controlled input before passing it to PHP's include() or require() functions. This allows attackers to manipulate the file path parameter to include arbitrary local files from the target server's 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. The vulnerability requires network access and user interaction for exploitation, but successful attacks can result in complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-69387 lies in the plugin's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization for filename parameters used in PHP include/require statements. The affected code accepts user-supplied input and directly incorporates it into file path operations without verifying that the path resolves to an expected location or file type.

This is a classic example of CWE-98 (Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program), where the application trusts user input to construct file paths for dynamic file inclusion operations.

Attack Vector

The attack is executed remotely over the network. An attacker can craft malicious requests that manipulate the file inclusion parameter to traverse directory structures and include sensitive local files. Common exploitation techniques include:

Path traversal sequences (such as ../) can be used to escape the intended directory and access files in other locations on the server. Attackers typically target configuration files, log files, or system files that may contain sensitive information or can be leveraged for further exploitation.

The exploitation mechanism involves sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. By manipulating the file path parameter with directory traversal sequences, an attacker can force the PHP application to include arbitrary files from the local filesystem. For detailed technical information about the exploitation technique, refer to the Patchstack vulnerability report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69387

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting WordPress plugin directories
• Web server logs showing repeated access attempts to /wp-content/plugins/simple-retail-menus/ with suspicious parameters
• Error logs indicating failed file inclusion attempts or unexpected file access patterns
• Evidence of sensitive file access such as wp-config.php or /etc/passwd in server logs

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on requests containing LFI attack signatures targeting WordPress installations
• Monitor WordPress plugin directories for unexpected file access patterns or anomalous request frequencies
• Review web server access logs for requests with encoded path traversal sequences

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for WordPress and the web server to capture detailed request information
• Set up real-time alerting for suspicious file access attempts in WordPress plugin directories
• Monitor for POST and GET requests with file path parameters to vulnerable plugin endpoints
• Implement file integrity monitoring on critical WordPress configuration files

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69387

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable or remove the Simple Retail Menus plugin immediately if running version 4.2.1 or earlier
• Review server logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts or successful compromise
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all instances of the affected plugin
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts while awaiting a patched version

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no official patch has been confirmed for this vulnerability. Site administrators should monitor the Patchstack vulnerability database and the plugin's official update channels for security updates. Consider replacing the plugin with an alternative solution if a patch is not released promptly.

Workarounds

• Remove or deactivate the Simple Retail Menus plugin until a security patch is available
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter requests containing path traversal patterns
• Restrict file system permissions to limit readable files for the web server user
• Consider using virtual patching through security plugins like Patchstack to block exploitation attempts

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate simple-retail-menus --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# List all WordPress sites with the plugin installed
find /var/www -name "simple-retail-menus" -type d 2>/dev/null

# Block common LFI patterns in Apache .htaccess
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess file:
# RewriteEngine On
# RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./|\.\.%2f) [NC,OR]
# RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (etc/passwd) [NC]
# RewriteRule .* - [F,L]