CVE-2025-23949 in Improved Sale Badges Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Mihajlovic Nenad Improved Sale Badges – Free Version allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects Improved Sale Badges – Free Version: from n/a through 1.0.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2025
The CVE-2025-23949 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the Mihajlovic Nenad Improved Sale Badges plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability stems from improper validation of filename parameters in include/require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically impacts the free version of the plugin, with affected versions ranging from the initial release through 1.0.1, making it a persistent issue across multiple iterations of the software.
This vulnerability manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user input before using it in dynamic include or require statements. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the filename parameter to reference malicious files hosted on remote servers or local system paths. The improper control of filename parameters directly maps to CWE-98, which describes the weakness of allowing arbitrary file inclusion through insufficient input validation. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially execute malicious PHP code with the privileges of the web server, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to affected systems. Once exploited, adversaries can leverage the included functionality to upload additional malware, establish backdoors, or perform further reconnaissance within the network. The vulnerability affects WordPress environments where the Improved Sale Badges plugin is installed and active, potentially compromising entire websites and their associated data. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, as it represents an attack vector through a publicly accessible web application component. The remote nature of the exploit makes it particularly dangerous for web applications that are exposed to the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-23949 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the filename validation issue. System administrators must ensure that the plugin is updated to the latest available version that contains proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing proper input validation at the application level, including whitelisting acceptable filename patterns and implementing strict parameter validation, can prevent exploitation attempts. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to monitor for suspicious include/require patterns and block requests containing potentially malicious file references. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar issues in other plugins or themes. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on preventing insecure direct object references and injection flaws that could lead to similar remote code execution scenarios.