CVE-2025-3740
📋 TL;DR
This Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the School Management System for WordPress plugin allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server. This can lead to remote code execution, data theft, and privilege escalation, particularly in WordPress Multisite environments where it can be chained to reset Super Administrator passwords.
💻 Affected Systems
- School Management System for 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
Complete server compromise via remote code execution, privilege escalation to Super Administrator in Multisite environments, and potential data exfiltration.
Likely Case
Unauthorized file access, privilege escalation to administrator, and installation of backdoors or malware.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions and web application firewalls block malicious requests.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward via the 'page' parameter. Chaining techniques exist for privilege escalation in Multisite.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.93.1 (released 02-07-2025)
Vendor Advisory: https://codecanyon.net/item/school-management-system-for-wordpress/11470032#item-description__update-history
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins. 3. Find 'School Management System for WordPress'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If manual update needed, download version 1.93.1 from CodeCanyon, deactivate old plugin, upload new version, and activate.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate school-management-system-for-wordpress
Web Application Firewall rule
allBlock requests containing suspicious 'page' parameter patterns
Add WAF rule: Block if ARGS:page contains '../' or similar path traversal patterns
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict plugin access to trusted users only and implement strict file upload controls
- Implement network segmentation and monitor for unusual file inclusion attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > School Management System for WordPress version. If version is 93.1.0 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get school-management-system-for-wordpress --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version shows 1.93.1 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with 'page' parameter containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.)
- Unusual file inclusion attempts in web server logs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful login and file inclusion patterns
Network Indicators:
- POST/GET requests to plugin endpoints with manipulated 'page' parameters
- Unusual outbound connections from web server following file inclusion
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*school-management*" OR uri="*sms*" OR uri="*wp-content/plugins/school-management*") AND (query="*page=*../*" OR query="*page=*..\\*")