CVE-2025-6253 in UiCore Elements Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2025
The UiCore Elements – Free Elementor widgets and templates plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.0 via the prepare_template() function due to a missing capability check and insufficient controls on the filename specified. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-6253 affects the UiCore Elements plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.3.0. This issue resides within the prepare_template() function which fails to implement proper access controls and validation mechanisms for file operations. The flaw represents a critical security oversight that allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the plugin's file reading capabilities without requiring any authentication credentials or privileged access. The vulnerability stems from the absence of capability checks that would normally verify user permissions before allowing file operations to proceed, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to access server resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic path traversal and arbitrary file read flaw where the plugin does not properly sanitize or validate the filename parameter passed to the prepare_template() function. Attackers can manipulate this parameter to specify any file path on the server filesystem, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, wp-config.php, or other critical system files. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category for Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all file system operations within web applications. The missing capability check means that any user, authenticated or not, can invoke the vulnerable function and attempt to read files that should normally be restricted to administrators or system processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to extract sensitive data that could compromise the entire WordPress installation and underlying infrastructure. An attacker could potentially read configuration files containing database connection strings, API keys, and other credentials that would allow them to escalate privileges or gain access to additional systems within the network. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for Phishing and T1213 for Data from Information Repositories, as it enables unauthorized data extraction from the target system. The implications are particularly severe for WordPress installations that host sensitive content or serve as part of larger enterprise environments where the compromise of a single plugin could lead to broader system infiltration and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-6253 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the capability check and filename validation issues. System administrators should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious file read patterns, network segmentation to limit access to critical systems, and comprehensive monitoring of file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and access control mechanisms, which should be implemented following security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes, while maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper file permissions to minimize the potential impact of such flaws in the future.