CVE-2025-28998
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP include/require statements. It affects SERPed.net WordPress plugin users running versions up to 4.6, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- SERPed.net 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
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, and lateral movement within the network.
Likely Case
Local file inclusion allowing sensitive file reading (configuration files, credentials, source code) and potential path traversal to access restricted files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions, web server hardening, and input validation are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward with publicly available proof-of-concept. The vulnerability is in a WordPress plugin, making automated exploitation likely.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 4.6
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/serped-net/vulnerability/wordpress-serped-net-4-6-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 SERPed.net plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and remove plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate serped-net
Restrict File Access
linuxImplement web server restrictions to prevent access to sensitive directories.
# In .htaccess for Apache:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc|conf|config)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns and path traversal attempts.
- Restrict plugin access to authenticated users only and implement strict input validation on all user-controlled parameters.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → SERPed.net version. If version is 4.6 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get serped-net --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 4.6 and test file inclusion attempts return proper errors instead of file contents.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in web server logs
- Multiple requests with '../' sequences or file inclusion parameters
- Access to sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with file inclusion parameters (include, require, file parameters)
- Patterns of directory traversal attempts
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*include*" OR uri="*require*" OR uri="*file=*" OR uri="*../*") AND status=200