CVE-2025-0859 in Post and Page Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2025
The Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid – Visual Drag and Drop Editor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 1.27.6 via the template_via_url() function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-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 • 03/20/2025
The Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid plugin represents a widely used visual drag and drop editor for WordPress environments, enabling users to create and modify content through intuitive graphical interfaces. This particular vulnerability exists within the template_via_url() function which processes template files through URL parameters, creating a critical security flaw that affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.27.6. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path access, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the function's behavior through crafted URL parameters.
The technical implementation of this path traversal vulnerability occurs when the template_via_url() function accepts user-supplied URL inputs without adequate validation or sanitization. Attackers with Contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious URLs that target sensitive files on the server filesystem. The vulnerability operates by manipulating directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that allow access to files outside the intended template directory structure. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal vulnerability classification which describes improper input validation that allows attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope.
Authenticated attackers with Contributor-level access can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from the WordPress installation including configuration files, database credentials, user information, and potentially other system files that contain confidential data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as these files may contain cryptographic keys, API credentials, and other sensitive data that could enable further exploitation or compromise of the entire WordPress environment. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to server resources that should remain protected from user interaction.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe for WordPress administrators who may not immediately detect unauthorized file access attempts. The attacker can systematically enumerate and extract valuable information from the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise through subsequent attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects WordPress installations that rely heavily on the BoldGrid plugin for content management and may be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities to establish persistent access. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement security measures to prevent exploitation and monitor for suspicious file access patterns.
Mitigation strategies include immediate patching of the plugin to version 1.27.7 or later which addresses the path traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file permissions, monitoring file access logs, and applying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 Credential Access: Credentials in Files which describes how attackers can extract credentials from files on compromised systems. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins and themes that may present similar path traversal risks.