CVE-2025-52728
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Responsive Posts Carousel WordPress plugin. Attackers can exploit improper filename control in include/require statements to read sensitive files on the server. All WordPress sites using affected versions of this plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Responsive Posts Carousel 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 via reading sensitive files like /etc/passwd, wp-config.php, or executing arbitrary PHP code leading to remote code execution.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of sensitive files, potential credential theft from configuration files, and limited file system access.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if file permissions are properly configured and sensitive files are outside web root.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple path traversal or file inclusion payloads can exploit this vulnerability. Public exploit details are available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 15.0 (check plugin repository for latest)
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Responsive Posts Carousel'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allDeactivate and remove the vulnerable plugin from WordPress
wp plugin deactivate responsive-posts-carousel
wp plugin delete responsive-posts-carousel
Restrict PHP file functions
linuxAdd PHP configuration to restrict include/require functions
Add to php.ini: disable_functions = include,require,include_once,require_once
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file inclusion patterns and path traversal attempts
- Restrict file system permissions and move sensitive files outside web root directory
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Responsive Posts Carousel' version 15.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get responsive-posts-carousel --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 15.0 or plugin is completely removed from plugins directory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in PHP error logs
- HTTP requests with file inclusion parameters like ?file=../../../etc/passwd
- Multiple 404 errors for non-existent plugin files
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../)
- Requests to plugin endpoints with file parameter manipulation
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri="*../*" OR uri="*file=*" OR uri="*include=*") AND user_agent="*WordPress*"