CVE-2025-0822 in Chat Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2025
Bit Assist plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.2 via the fileID Parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2025
The Bit Assist plugin for WordPress presents a critical path traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-0822 affecting all versions up to and including 1.5.2. This vulnerability resides in the fileID parameter handling within the plugin's file operations functionality, creating an exploitable condition that allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level privileges or higher to access arbitrary files on the affected WordPress server. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied file identifiers, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths through crafted requests.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin processes fileID parameters without proper validation of directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that would normally be blocked by secure file access mechanisms. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries and retrieve files from arbitrary locations on the server filesystem. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's ability to securely handle file operations, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php contents, and other system files that contain critical authentication and operational information.
Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access can exploit this vulnerability to read files that should normally be restricted, potentially gaining access to sensitive system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers may obtain database connection details, API keys, plugin configurations, and other sensitive data that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the compromised environment. This vulnerability represents a significant risk to WordPress installations using the affected plugin version, as it provides unauthorized access to server-side files that typically require elevated privileges to access.
Security professionals should prioritize patching this vulnerability by upgrading to the latest version of the Bit Assist plugin where the path traversal issue has been resolved through proper input validation and secure file access controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while monitoring for suspicious file access patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows common attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1213 Data from Information Repositories, emphasizing the importance of secure file handling and input validation in web application security.