CVE-2025-26933 in WC Place Order Without Payment Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/10/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Nitin Prakash WC Place Order Without Payment allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects WC Place Order Without Payment: from n/a through 2.6.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2025
The CVE-2025-26933 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw in the WC Place Order Without Payment plugin for WordPress, which falls under the broader category of improper control of filename for include/require statements. This vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently used in PHP include or require statements. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the filename parameter passed to these statements, potentially enabling them to include arbitrary local or remote files. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.6.7, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been adequately addressed in the plugin's codebase. The improper handling of file inclusion parameters creates a direct pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, making it a severe security concern for WordPress installations using this plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's code directly incorporating user-provided data into PHP include/require functions without proper sanitization or validation. When a user interacts with the plugin's functionality, particularly during order processing scenarios, the system accepts parameters that should be restricted to predefined, safe values but instead processes them as literal file paths. This design flaw allows attackers to inject malicious file paths that can point to local files on the server or remote URLs that can be used to download and execute arbitrary PHP code. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-98 - Improper Control of Code Generation Causes a Code Injection, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices. The attack vector typically involves manipulating URL parameters or form inputs to pass malicious filenames to the include/require statements, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries of the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-26933 extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected WordPress installation. Once exploited, the vulnerability enables unauthorized access to the server, allowing attackers to upload additional malicious files, modify existing content, steal sensitive data, or even establish persistent backdoors for future access. The local file inclusion aspect means that attackers can potentially access sensitive files on the server such as configuration files, database credentials, or other system information that could be used to escalate privileges or conduct further attacks. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to the broader WordPress ecosystem, as compromised installations can serve as entry points for attacking other systems within the same network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the vulnerable plugin's functionality, and it directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which focuses on attacking applications accessible from the internet.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26933 must prioritize immediate action to address the vulnerability while implementing broader security measures to prevent similar issues. The most effective immediate solution is to upgrade to the latest version of the WC Place Order Without Payment plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Administrators should also implement input validation and sanitization measures that restrict the parameters used in include/require statements to predefined safe values only. Additional defensive measures include disabling file inclusion functions in PHP configuration, implementing proper access controls for plugin directories, and monitoring system logs for suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing code injection vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while maintaining regular security audits and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other plugins or custom code implementations.