Overview
A critical security vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-12851, has been discovered in the My Auctions Allegro plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) flaw, affects all versions of the plugin up to and including 3.6.32. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from improper input validation in the ‘controller’ parameter. An attacker can manipulate this parameter to point to local files on the server. Because the plugin fails to adequately sanitize this input, it allows the inclusion of these files, including PHP files. When a PHP file is included, the server executes the code within it. This opens the door to various malicious activities.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-12851
- Severity: HIGH
- CVSS Score: 8.1
The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects the high severity of this vulnerability. The attack is unauthenticated, meaning no login credentials are required, and it allows for arbitrary code execution, giving attackers significant control over the affected server.
Possible Impact
Exploitation of this vulnerability can have severe consequences:
- Bypassing Access Controls: Attackers can bypass security measures designed to protect sensitive files and directories.
- Obtaining Sensitive Data: Attackers can access and steal confidential information such as database credentials, user data, and other sensitive files.
- Code Execution: This is the most critical impact. Attackers can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server. This can lead to:
- Website Defacement: Replacing the website’s content with malicious content.
- Malware Distribution: Using the website to distribute malware to visitors.
- Data Theft: Stealing sensitive data from the server.
- Backdoor Installation: Installing a persistent backdoor for future access.
- Complete Server Takeover: Gaining complete control of the server.
Even if your WordPress installation restricts direct PHP file uploads, attackers can often upload other “safe” file types (like images) and then leverage this LFI vulnerability to execute the code within those files.
Mitigation & Patch Steps
- Immediate Action: Update the Plugin: The most crucial step is to immediately update the My Auctions Allegro plugin to the latest available version, which should include a patch for this vulnerability. Check the WordPress plugin repository for the update. If an update isn’t available, consider temporarily deactivating the plugin.
- Review Server Logs: Examine your server logs for suspicious activity, such as unusual file requests or attempts to access sensitive files.
- Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Configure your WAF to block requests containing suspicious patterns in the ‘controller’ parameter.
- Regular Security Audits: Regularly audit your WordPress installation and plugins for vulnerabilities. Use security scanning tools to identify potential weaknesses.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that all users and processes have only the necessary permissions to perform their tasks. Restrict access to sensitive files and directories.
