CVE-2025-52809 in National Weather Service Alerts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in John Russell National Weather Service Alerts allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects National Weather Service Alerts: from n/a through 1.3.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2025
The CVE-2025-52809 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw that fundamentally undermines the security posture of the John Russell National Weather Service Alerts application. This vulnerability exists due to improper validation of user-supplied input in include/require statements, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code through manipulated file paths. The flaw specifically affects versions of the National Weather Service Alerts application ranging from the initial release through version 1.3.5, indicating a prolonged period during which the application remained susceptible to this class of attack. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-98 as "Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement" which directly maps to the well-documented PHP Local File Inclusion (LFI) attack vector that has been a persistent threat in web application security for decades. This weakness allows an attacker to manipulate the include statement by injecting malicious file paths, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive system files or remote code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application accepts user input without proper sanitization and directly incorporates it into PHP include or require statements. Attackers can leverage this flaw by manipulating parameters that control which files are included, potentially redirecting the execution flow to load malicious code from remote servers or local files that should not be accessible. The attack typically involves crafting malicious URLs or input parameters that cause the application to include files from unintended locations, potentially leading to the execution of arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without authentication in many scenarios, making it a prime target for automated attacks. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can potentially lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the affected infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper parameter sanitization that violates fundamental security principles and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for "Server-side Include" which is part of the broader privilege escalation and persistence tactics used by adversaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-52809 is severe for organizations relying on the National Weather Service Alerts application, as it exposes critical infrastructure to potential compromise. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive weather data, system files, and potentially user information stored within the application's environment. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited successfully. The attack surface is particularly concerning for government and public safety organizations that depend on weather alert systems, as compromise could affect emergency response capabilities and public safety communications. The vulnerability also poses risks to network infrastructure as attackers may use the compromised system as a foothold for lateral movement within the organization's network. Mitigation efforts should focus on immediate patching of affected versions, implementation of strict input validation mechanisms, and removal of any user-controllable parameters from include statements. Security teams must also consider network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and regular security assessments, particularly for applications handling sensitive public information. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring and incident response procedures to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the need for proper security training for developers to prevent similar issues in future application development cycles, emphasizing the importance of principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies.