CVE-2025-47439 in Download Monitor Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in WP Chill Download Monitor allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects Download Monitor: from n/a through 5.0.22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-47439 represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within the WP Chill Download Monitor plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 5.0.22. 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 issue resides in how the plugin processes user-supplied input when determining which files to include, allowing attackers to manipulate the include statement to reference remote or local files beyond the intended scope. This misconfiguration enables attackers to leverage the vulnerability for local file inclusion attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. The flaw directly maps to CWE-88, which describes improper control of filename for include or require statements, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, specifically targeting remote file inclusion vulnerabilities in web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is particularly concerning given that it affects a widely used download monitoring plugin, making numerous WordPress installations susceptible to attack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin receives user input through parameters that are subsequently used in PHP's include or require functions without adequate sanitization or validation. Attackers can manipulate these parameters to point to malicious files hosted on remote servers or to local files within the web server's directory structure. When the PHP interpreter processes these include statements, it executes code from the attacker-controlled files, effectively allowing remote code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it bypasses normal file access controls and can be exploited through simple parameter manipulation in HTTP requests. This allows attackers to include files from arbitrary locations, potentially accessing sensitive system files, executing malicious scripts, or establishing backdoors on the compromised system. The lack of proper input validation means that the plugin fails to verify whether the requested file is within acceptable boundaries, creating an attack surface that can be exploited for privilege escalation and persistent access to the target environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-47439 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a comprehensive attack vector for system compromise. Successful exploitation can result in complete takeover of affected WordPress installations, enabling attackers to modify website content, steal sensitive data, or use compromised systems as launching points for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability can be leveraged to access administrative functions, potentially allowing attackers to modify plugin configurations, add new users, or establish persistent backdoors. Organizations running affected versions of the WP Chill Download Monitor plugin face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of WordPress and the plugin, meaning that a single vulnerable installation can become a valuable asset for threat actors seeking to expand their attack surface. Additionally, the vulnerability can be combined with other exploits to create more sophisticated attack chains, potentially leading to privilege escalation and access to underlying server resources. This vulnerability also represents a potential entry point for attackers to establish long-term presence within the network, as it allows for the deployment of web shells or other persistent malicious components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-47439 must prioritize immediate action to address the vulnerability through plugin updates, as the vendor has likely released patches for the affected versions. Organizations should implement network-level protections including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious include parameter patterns, particularly those containing protocol identifiers or unusual file path structures. Input validation should be strengthened at the application level by implementing strict parameter sanitization and ensuring that all include/require statements use absolute paths or predefined whitelists of acceptable files. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns and suspicious parameter values in web server logs. System administrators should consider implementing the principle of least privilege, limiting file inclusion capabilities to only necessary functions and ensuring that the web server operates with minimal required permissions. Additional protective measures include disabling remote file inclusion features in PHP configuration, implementing proper access controls for sensitive directories, and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in third-party components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain visibility into their software inventory to quickly identify vulnerable components.