CVE-2025-9993 in Bei Fen Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2025
The Bei Fen – WordPress Backup Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.2 via the 'task'. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary .php files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where .php file types can be uploaded and included. This only affects instances running PHP 7.1 or older.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2025
The CVE-2025-9993 vulnerability affects the Bei Fen WordPress Backup Plugin, a widely used backup solution for wordpress platforms. This security flaw represents a critical local file inclusion vulnerability that exists in all plugin versions up to and including 1.4.2. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the plugin's task parameter handling mechanism, creating an exploitable path for authenticated attackers who possess subscriber-level privileges or higher. The flaw specifically manifests when the plugin processes the 'task' parameter without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious users to manipulate file inclusion paths and execute arbitrary php code on the target server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious requests that target the plugin's file inclusion functionality, potentially enabling them to access and execute php files stored anywhere within the server's file system. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates within the context of an authenticated user session, meaning that even a low-privilege subscriber account can potentially exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources and execute arbitrary code.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to bypass existing access controls and potentially escalate their privileges within the wordpress environment. An attacker with subscriber-level access could use this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access database credentials, or upload additional malicious payloads that could compromise the entire wordpress installation. The restriction to php file types being executable adds another dimension to the attack surface, as attackers can potentially upload php shells or backdoors that persist across server restarts and provide ongoing access to the compromised system.
This vulnerability affects only installations running php 7.1 or older versions, indicating that modern php environments with updated security configurations may be less susceptible to exploitation. However, the widespread use of older php versions in legacy wordpress installations makes this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet upgraded their server environments. The attack vector requires authentication, which means that the vulnerability is not automatically exploitable from the internet but rather requires an attacker to first obtain valid subscriber credentials or find another method to escalate privileges within the wordpress system.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the Bei Fen WordPress Backup Plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as no patch was available for versions prior to 1.4.3. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including monitoring for unusual file inclusion patterns, restricting file upload capabilities where possible, and ensuring that all wordpress installations are running on supported php versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as it highlights how a single parameter without adequate sanitization can create a complete compromise of the underlying system. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern.