CVE-2025-30849
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through PHP's include/require statements in the Essential Real Estate WordPress plugin. Attackers can potentially read sensitive files or execute arbitrary code. All WordPress sites running affected versions of the Essential Real Estate plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Essential Real Estate WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full server compromise through remote code execution leading to data theft, website defacement, or malware installation.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (configuration files, database credentials) and limited code execution within web server context.
If Mitigated
File read limited to web-accessible directories if proper file permissions and security controls are implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of vulnerable parameters and paths. Public proof-of-concept code exists in vulnerability databases.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.2.1 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Essential Real Estate plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 5.2.1+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate essential-real-estate
Web Application Firewall Rule
linuxBlock requests containing local file inclusion patterns
ModSecurity rule: SecRule ARGS "\.\./" "phase:2,deny,status:403,id:1001"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions (chmod 644 for files, 755 for directories)
- Use web application firewall to block directory traversal patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Essential Real Estate → Version number. If version is 5.2.0 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get essential-real-estate --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 5.2.1 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with ../ patterns in parameters
- PHP include/require errors in web server logs
- Access to unusual files like /etc/passwd from web requests
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET/POST requests with file path parameters
- Unusual file extensions in URL parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*../*" OR params="*../*")