CVE-2025-54034
📋 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 Tribulant Software Newsletters WordPress plugin users running versions up to 4.10, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Tribulant Software Newsletters 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 website takeover.
Likely Case
Sensitive information disclosure (database credentials, configuration files), limited file system access, and potential privilege escalation through reading WordPress configuration files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions are set, web server runs with minimal privileges, and sensitive files are stored outside web root.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and uses simple HTTP requests with path traversal payloads. Public exploit details available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.10.1
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/newsletters-lite/vulnerability/wordpress-newsletters-4-10-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 'Newsletters' or 'Newsletters Lite'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 4.10.1+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Newsletters plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate newsletters-lite
wp plugin deactivate newsletters
Restrict PHP include paths
linuxConfigure PHP to restrict include paths to specific directories
php_admin_value open_basedir "/var/www/html:/tmp"
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.)
- Restrict file system permissions and run web server with minimal privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Newsletters version. If version is 4.10 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get newsletters-lite --field=version || wp plugin get newsletters --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 4.10.1 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Test with controlled LFI payloads to confirm patched behavior.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' or '..\' patterns in parameters
- Multiple 200/500 responses to unusual file paths
- Requests to wp-content/plugins/newsletters/ with unusual parameters
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file path requests to newsletter plugin endpoints
- Patterns of directory traversal attempts in HTTP traffic
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri="*newsletters*" AND (param="*../*" OR param="*..\\*"))