CVE-2025-2270
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to perform Local File Inclusion (LFI) in the Countdown & Clock WordPress plugin, enabling them to include and execute specific PHP files on the server. This can lead to arbitrary code execution, data theft, or access control bypass. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Countdown, Coming Soon, Maintenance – Countdown & Clock WordPress plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise through arbitrary PHP code execution, leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Unauthenticated attackers execute malicious PHP code to create backdoors, steal sensitive data, or deface websites.
If Mitigated
Attackers can still probe for file existence but cannot execute code due to proper file permissions or security controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires attackers to know specific filenames to include, but this is often predictable in WordPress environments.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.9.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/countdown-builder/trunk/classes/RegisterPostType.php#L116
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Countdown, Coming Soon, Maintenance – Countdown & Clock'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to version 2.9.0+. 5. Verify plugin is updated to patched version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin until patched version can be installed.
wp plugin deactivate countdown-builder
Restrict file access via .htaccess
linuxAdd rules to prevent unauthorized file inclusion attempts.
<FilesMatch "\.php$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block LFI patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Countdown & Clock plugin version. If version is 2.8.9.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get countdown-builder --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.9.0 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file inclusion attempts in web server logs (e.g., requests with 'createCdObj' parameter)
- Multiple 404 errors for PHP files followed by successful inclusions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing 'createCdObj' parameter with file paths
- Unusual outbound connections from web server after LFI attempts
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*createCdObj*" OR uri="*php*" AND status=200) AND user_agent="*"