CVE-2026-57749: SportsPress Pro Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2026-57749 Overview

CVE-2026-57749 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability affecting the SportsPress Pro WordPress plugin in versions up to and including 2.7.29. The flaw allows authenticated users with Contributor-level privileges to trigger inclusion of local files through improper control of filename parameters used in include or require statements, categorized as [CWE-98].

Successful exploitation exposes sensitive server-side files, application source code, and configuration data. Attackers can leverage the flaw to read secrets, extend access, or chain the primitive with other issues to achieve code execution.

Critical Impact
Authenticated Contributor accounts can read arbitrary local files on the WordPress host, leading to disclosure of credentials, configuration data, and potential remote code execution when chained with file upload primitives.

Affected Products

SportsPress Pro plugin for WordPress, versions <= 2.7.29
WordPress sites running SportsPress Pro with Contributor-level accounts enabled
Multi-author or membership WordPress deployments that rely on the plugin for sports statistics management

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-02 - CVE-2026-57749 published to NVD
2026-07-02 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-57749

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a Local File Inclusion issue tracked under [CWE-98]: Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in a PHP Program. SportsPress Pro accepts user-controlled input that is passed to a PHP include or require construct without sufficient validation. A Contributor-authenticated user can supply a crafted value that references files outside the intended template directory.

Because the plugin executes under the WordPress process, included PHP files run with the web server's privileges. Non-PHP files are disclosed through the response, exposing content of .env files, wp-config.php, or system configuration where readable.

Root Cause

The root cause is insufficient sanitization and allow-listing of the filename parameter consumed by an include or require call in the plugin. The code fails to normalize path separators, reject directory traversal sequences such as ../, and restrict inclusion to a fixed set of template files.

Attack Vector

The attack is remote and network-based. An attacker must first obtain Contributor-level credentials, either through registration on sites that allow it, credential stuffing, or account compromise. The attacker then issues a crafted request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, supplying a path referencing a sensitive local file.

The attack requires elevated conditions to exploit reliably, but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high once the primitive succeeds. Chaining LFI with log poisoning or session file writes can escalate to remote code execution.

Exploitation details are documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-57749

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests to SportsPress Pro plugin endpoints containing directory traversal sequences such as ../, ..%2f, or absolute paths like /etc/passwd or wp-config.php
Unexpected inclusion of files outside the plugin's template directory recorded in PHP error logs or web server access logs
Newly created Contributor accounts followed by requests to plugin endpoints with unusual query parameters

Detection Strategies

Enable PHP open_basedir restrictions and monitor violations that indicate attempts to read files outside the WordPress root
Deploy web application firewall rules that inspect requests to /wp-admin/ and /wp-content/plugins/sportspress-pro/ for path traversal patterns
Correlate authenticated session activity against low-privilege roles making requests to plugin functionality outside their typical workflow

Monitoring Recommendations

Log all plugin parameter values submitted by Contributor-role users and alert on values containing path characters
Monitor filesystem access to sensitive files such as wp-config.php, .htaccess, and files under /etc/
Track outbound response sizes from plugin endpoints for anomalies consistent with file disclosure

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-57749

Immediate Actions Required

Update SportsPress Pro to a version later than 2.7.29 as soon as the vendor patch is available
Audit all Contributor-level accounts and disable or reset any accounts that are inactive or unexpected
Review web server and PHP error logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts against plugin endpoints

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current patched release and remediation guidance from the plugin vendor. Apply the update in a staging environment first and verify plugin functionality before rolling to production.

Workarounds

Disable the SportsPress Pro plugin until a patched version is applied if Contributor accounts cannot be restricted
Restrict user registration to Subscriber role only and require administrator approval for role upgrades
Configure PHP open_basedir to limit filesystem access to the WordPress installation directory
Deploy a web application firewall rule to block path traversal patterns in requests to plugin endpoints

bash

# Configuration example: restrict PHP file inclusion to WordPress directory
# Add to php.ini or virtual host configuration
open_basedir = "/var/www/html/wordpress/:/tmp/"
disable_functions = "show_source,system,shell_exec,passthru,exec,popen,proc_open"

# Example nginx rule to block traversal patterns on plugin path
location ~* /wp-content/plugins/sportspress-pro/ {
    if ($args ~* "\.\./|\.\.%2f|/etc/|wp-config") {
        return 403;
    }
}