CVE-2025-3897 in EUCookieLaw Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2025
The EUCookieLaw plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 2.7.2 via the 'file_get_contents' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information. The vulnerability can only be exploited if a caching plugin such as W3 Total Cache is installed and activated.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2026
The EUCookieLaw WordPress plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file reads through the file_get_contents function. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.7.2, making it a persistent threat across multiple iterations of the plugin. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and improper file access controls within the plugin's code implementation, allowing malicious actors to specify any file path for retrieval. According to CWE-22, this vulnerability falls under Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory category, as the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied file paths before processing them. The attack vector specifically leverages the file_get_contents function which, when improperly constrained, can access any file accessible to the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can expose sensitive data including configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php contents, and potentially other system files that contain confidential information. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain insights into the WordPress installation structure, server environment details, and potentially extract authentication tokens or API keys stored in accessible files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires a specific prerequisite - the presence of caching plugins such as W3 Total Cache - which suggests that the attack surface is somewhat limited but still significant given the prevalence of these caching solutions in WordPress environments. This dependency creates a unique exploitation context where the vulnerability becomes active only when certain conditions are met, though it does not diminish the severity of the underlying flaw.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for Data from Information Repositories and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers could use the information gathered to craft more sophisticated attacks or gain additional system access. The fact that this vulnerability requires a caching plugin to be active creates a specific attack scenario where threat actors must first identify systems with both the vulnerable plugin and compatible caching solutions. This dependency also means that organizations using other caching mechanisms may be protected, though it does not eliminate the risk entirely since attackers could potentially modify their approach to exploit similar vulnerabilities in other components. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly when evaluating their WordPress security posture.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary recommendation is to upgrade to the latest version of the EUCookieLaw plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, though administrators should verify that the update process does not introduce compatibility issues with existing caching configurations. Security teams should implement network-based restrictions using firewalls or web application firewalls to prevent access to sensitive file paths and monitor for unusual file access patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms and restricting file access permissions on the web server can reduce the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits should include checks for outdated plugins and vulnerable components, with particular attention to plugins that interact with file system operations. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components, including plugins that may not receive immediate security attention from developers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current software versions and following security best practices for plugin management in WordPress environments.