CVE-2025-60073
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a PHP Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Responsive Sidebar WordPress plugin. Attackers can include arbitrary local files from the server, potentially leading to sensitive information disclosure or code execution. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Responsive Sidebar 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 inclusion of malicious PHP files leading to remote code execution, data theft, and complete site takeover.
Likely Case
Sensitive file disclosure (configuration files, database credentials) and limited code execution through existing PHP files on the server.
If Mitigated
Information disclosure limited to readable files within web server permissions, no code execution if proper file permissions are configured.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP requests can trigger the vulnerability. Public exploit details are available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 1.2.2
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Responsive Sidebar' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate responsive-sidebar
Restrict File Access
linuxConfigure web server to restrict access to sensitive directories and files
# Add to .htaccess for Apache:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|inc|conf|config|sql|log|txt)$">
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Responsive Sidebar plugin completely from your WordPress installation
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block LFI attack patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Responsive Sidebar' version 1.2.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get responsive-sidebar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 1.2.2 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file include patterns in PHP error logs
- HTTP requests with suspicious file path parameters
- Multiple 404 errors followed by successful file accesses
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing '../' sequences or absolute file paths in parameters
- Requests to plugin-specific endpoints with file inclusion parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="*responsive-sidebar*" AND (param="*../*" OR param="*/etc/*" OR param="*C:\\*"))