CVE-2024-48029 in SB Random Posts Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Hung Trang Si SB Random Posts Widget sb-random-posts-widget allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects SB Random Posts Widget: from n/a through <= 1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The CVE-2024-48029 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the Hung Trang Si SB Random Posts Widget plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.0. This vulnerability stems from improper control of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw resides in how the plugin processes user-supplied input when determining which files to include, allowing attackers to manipulate the include path and potentially load malicious files from remote servers or local system directories.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic PHP Remote File Inclusion pattern where user-controllable parameters are directly fed into include or require functions without proper sanitization or validation. When the plugin processes requests containing crafted parameters, it fails to validate or filter the input before using it in file inclusion operations. This weakness aligns with CWE-98, which specifically addresses Improper Control of Code Generation Causes Remote File Inclusion, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for input validation and sanitization. The vulnerability enables an attacker to leverage the plugin's file inclusion mechanism to load and execute arbitrary PHP code, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected WordPress installation. An attacker could exploit this weakness to upload malicious files, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within the web server environment. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the plugin by allowing unauthorized code injection into the WordPress environment, potentially compromising not just the specific plugin but the entire WordPress installation. This creates a significant risk for WordPress sites using the affected plugin, as the vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-48029 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches to fix the improper input validation. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures, including whitelisting acceptable file paths and implementing proper parameter sanitization before any file inclusion operations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that web server processes run with minimal required permissions and that file inclusion operations are restricted to predefined safe directories. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file inclusion patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, following ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for Lateral Movement through Remote Services and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter for PHP. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins or custom code components.