CVE-2025-24690
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP include/require statements. It affects WordPress sites using the Formality plugin versions up to 1.5.7, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Formality 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 local file inclusion leading to remote code execution, data exfiltration, and complete system takeover.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (configuration files, credentials, source code) and limited code execution within web server context.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions, web application firewalls, and restricted PHP functions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities and target system structure. No public exploit code available at time of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.5.7
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/formality/vulnerability/wordpress-formality-plugin-1-5-7-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Formality plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update available
5. If no update available, deactivate and remove plugin
6. Install latest version from WordPress repository
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Formality Plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate formality
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing path traversal sequences in Formality plugin endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions (chmod 600 for sensitive files)
- Deploy web application firewall with LFI protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Formality version. If version ≤ 1.5.7, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get formality --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Formality plugin version is > 1.5.7 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file paths in PHP include/require errors
- Multiple requests to Formality endpoints with ../ sequences
- Access to sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences to /wp-content/plugins/formality/ endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*formality*" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*..\\*" OR uri="*%2e%2e%2f*"))