CVE-2025-53328 in Poll, Survey & Quiz Maker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2025
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Assaf Parag Poll, Survey & Quiz Maker Plugin by Opinion Stage allows PHP Local File Inclusion. This issue affects Poll, Survey & Quiz Maker Plugin by Opinion Stage: from n/a through 19.11.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2025
The CVE-2025-53328 vulnerability represents a critical PHP Remote File Inclusion flaw within the Poll, Survey & Quiz Maker Plugin by Opinion Stage, which falls under the broader category of improper control of filename for include/require statements. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically when processing user-supplied data that gets directly incorporated into PHP include or require statements. The flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate the filename parameter passed to these statements, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or local file inclusion attacks. According to CWE-98, this vulnerability maps directly to improper control of filename for include/require operations, which is a well-documented weakness in web application security.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin accepts user input through parameters that are then used in PHP include or require functions without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious input that points to local files or remote malicious code repositories, bypassing normal access controls and potentially executing arbitrary PHP code on the target server. The vulnerability affects all versions from the initial release through version 19.11.0, indicating a long-standing issue within the plugin's codebase that has not been properly addressed. This represents a significant operational risk as the inclusion of arbitrary files can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or server takeover scenarios.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates multiple attack vectors for threat actors. When exploited, the vulnerability allows for potential privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation within the affected WordPress environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this plugin is widely used in WordPress installations, meaning a successful exploitation could affect numerous websites simultaneously. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as attackers can leverage the inclusion mechanism to execute malicious payloads and maintain persistence. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by the fact that it operates at the core PHP level, bypassing many standard web application firewall protections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-53328 must include immediate version updates to the latest available release of the Poll, Survey & Quiz Maker Plugin, as vendors typically address such vulnerabilities through code patches that implement proper input validation and sanitization. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to prevent access to potentially malicious file inclusion endpoints and deploy comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual file access patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation mechanisms, such as whitelisting acceptable filename patterns and using absolute paths for include operations, can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify any other plugins or themes that may be susceptible to similar remote file inclusion vulnerabilities, as the attack surface often extends beyond the immediate affected component.