CVE-2025-31387
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to include local files on the server through improper filename control in PHP's include/require statements. It affects WordPress sites running the InstaWP Connect plugin versions up to 0.1.0.82, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- InstaWP Connect 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 local file inclusion leading to remote code execution, sensitive file disclosure (including configuration files with credentials), and complete site takeover.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of sensitive files like wp-config.php containing database credentials, potentially leading to database compromise and site defacement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and web server restrictions, potentially only allowing read access to non-sensitive files.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of PHP file inclusion vulnerabilities and knowledge of target file paths. No public exploit code available at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 0.1.0.82
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Check if InstaWP Connect has an update available. 4. Click 'Update Now' to install the latest version. 5. Verify the plugin version is above 0.1.0.82.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
WordPressTemporarily disable the InstaWP Connect plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate instawp-connect
Restrict file access via .htaccess
ApacheAdd restrictions to prevent file inclusion attacks
# Add to .htaccess in WordPress root:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc|phtml)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the InstaWP Connect plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → InstaWP Connect version. If version is 0.1.0.82 or lower, the site is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get instawp-connect --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the plugin version is above 0.1.0.82 in WordPress admin panel. Test file inclusion attempts should no longer work.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file path requests in access logs (e.g., requests containing '../', 'wp-config.php', or other sensitive files)
- Multiple failed include/require attempts in PHP error logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with unusual parameters containing file paths or directory traversal sequences
- Requests to plugin-specific endpoints with file inclusion patterns
SIEM Query:
source="web_access_logs" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*wp-config.php*" OR uri="*instawp-connect*" AND (param="*file=*" OR param="*include=*"))