TL;DR

A Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the SportsPress plugin (versions ≤ 2.7.26) has been assigned CVE-2025-15368 and is rated high severity. The issue requires an authenticated user with Contributor-level privileges. An attacker with such access can craft shortcode parameters that cause inclusion and disclosure of local server files. While exploitation has preconditions, exposed files like wp-config.php may reveal database credentials and other secrets. Immediate mitigations are recommended; use layered defenses including request filtering at the edge and stricter editorial controls.

What happened (short summary)

• Vulnerability type: Local File Inclusion (LFI) via shortcode input.
• Affected software: SportsPress — Sports Club & League Manager plugin for WordPress (versions ≤ 2.7.26).
• Privilege required: Authenticated user with at least Contributor privileges.
• Impact: Local files may be included and their output shown, potentially exposing credentials and other secrets; in some environments this can lead to further compromise.
• CVE: CVE-2025-15368
• Current status at disclosure: no official plugin patch available (site owners should apply mitigations immediately).

Why this matters

Local File Inclusion is a serious vulnerability class. LFI enables an attacker to force the application to read and include local files on the server, often via directory traversal or unsanitised path parameters. Files of particular concern include:

• wp-config.php — contains database name, DB user, password, and salts.
• Environment files (e.g., .env) — may store API keys and service credentials.
• Log files — can contain sensitive entries.
• Other plugin/theme files — may reveal internal logic useful for escalation.

Because the vulnerability requires Contributor-level access, it is especially problematic for multi-author sites, newsrooms, and sites that grant contributor privileges to third parties. An attacker can use social engineering, credential reuse, or site registration weaknesses to obtain the necessary access.

How the vulnerability is triggered (high-level, safe explanation)

The plugin exposes a shortcode that accepts a parameter used as a path or filename for server-side inclusion. The vulnerability occurs when the input is not validated before being used in an include/require operation. A typical exploitation flow is:

1. A contributor creates or edits a post/page and inserts the vulnerable shortcode, controlling the path parameter.
2. The plugin processes the shortcode and performs a file inclusion using the supplied parameter without sufficient sanitization.
3. The include operation outputs the contents of local files to the visitor’s browser.

No exploit code is provided here; the objective is to help administrators understand the risk and defend their sites.

Realistic attack scenarios

• A malicious contributor publishes a page that echoes wp-config.php. An attacker or anyone viewing the page can harvest database credentials.
• Chaining LFI with other misconfigurations (e.g., writable log locations) to achieve code execution — environment-dependent but possible.
• Reading log files or other code files to gather information for privilege escalation.

Exploitation often begins with account compromise (credential stuffing, weak passwords) or misuse of editorial privileges.

Risk assessment — who should be most concerned

• Multi-author blogs, news sites, and membership platforms that grant Contributor access to external authors.
• Sites that render plugin shortcodes in publicly viewable content.
• Sites without editorial review processes for contributor-submitted content.
• Sites with misconfigured file locations where sensitive files are web-accessible.

Even with trusted contributor accounts, risk exists due to account takeover or misuse; proactive mitigation is essential.

How to detect if you’re targeted or exploited

1. Audit recent edits from Contributor accounts:
   • Look for new posts/pages containing unusual shortcodes or suspicious parameters.
   • Check revisions and drafts for embed-like content that looks out of place.
2. Inspect web server logs:
   • Search for requests containing traversal strings like ../, encodings like %2e%2e, or references to sensitive filenames.
3. Check application and PHP error logs for include warnings or file-related errors.
4. Monitor page outputs for unexpected content (config-like text, long dumps, or binary output).
5. Review database activity for unusual reads/writes or posts created by contributor accounts.
6. Scan filesystem for new or modified files in wp-content, uploads, or the site root.
7. Use security scanners and intrusion detection tools to flag suspicious shortcode usage.

If you find evidence of disclosed config files (for example, wp-config.php contents), treat the incident as critical: rotate secrets and follow incident response steps below.

Immediate actions (minutes/hours)

1. Restrict contributor access and audit accounts
   • Temporarily remove or reduce privileges for unverified Contributor accounts.
   • Enforce strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Editors and Administrators.
2. Disable public rendering of shortcodes (temporary)
   • Search content for the plugin’s shortcode and remove or disable its rendering until mitigations are in place.
3. Disable the plugin if feasible
   • If the plugin is non-critical and can be disabled without major impact, consider doing so temporarily.
4. Deploy request filtering at the edge
   • Use web request filtering (edge firewall, WAF or reverse proxy) to block directory traversal patterns and suspicious include-like parameters.
5. Rotate credentials if exposure is suspected
   • If wp-config.php or other secrets are suspected to be exposed, change database passwords, regenerate salts, and rotate API keys.
6. Monitor for updates
   • Watch the plugin’s official source for a vendor patch and apply it promptly when available.
7. Forensic capture
   • Preserve logs and copies of affected resources for later analysis; consider engaging a security professional for incident handling.

Recommended virtual patching patterns (conceptual)

Below are vendor-neutral defensive patterns that can be implemented in ModSecurity, NGINX, or other request-filtering systems. Test carefully in staging before production.

1. Block directory traversal indicators in shortcode parameters:

   Rule idea: If a request contains parameters like file= or path= and includes ../ or encoded equivalents, block.

2. Restrict file extension inclusion:

   Rule idea: Deny requests where include parameters reference sensitive extensions (.php, .env, .sql, .ini).

3. Enforce allowlist for shortcode values:

   If a parameter should be an integer or slug, permit only digits or expected characters; reject anything outside the expected pattern.

4. Combine role context with request filtering:

   If possible, treat requests from logged-in Contributor sessions more strictly (rate-limit, challenge, or block suspicious parameter patterns).

5. Server hardening:

   Disable risky PHP settings such as allow_url_include and restrict functions that can be abused for inclusion/execution.

Example ModSecurity-style rule (illustrative only):

SecRule REQUEST_URI|ARGS "@rx (file|path|include)=.*(\.\./|%2e%2e)" "id:1000001,phase:2,deny,log,msg:'Blocking LFI attempt: traversal in include parameter'"

These examples are conceptual — adapt them to your appliance or service syntax and test to avoid false positives.

Plugin- and server-level hardening steps

• Remove or restrict unused capabilities
  • Limit who can add or edit posts that accept shortcodes. Only trusted users should have Contributor/Editor access.
• Content moderation
  • Require editorial review for all content created by contributors to catch malicious shortcodes before publishing.
• File permissions
  • Ensure wp-config.php is readable only by the web server user and not world-readable.
• Disable PHP execution in uploads

  <FilesMatch "\.php$">
    Deny from all
  </FilesMatch>

  For NGINX, return 403 for PHP execution in upload directories.

• Secure backups
  • Keep backups outside the webroot and protect them with strict access controls.
• Keep software updated
  • Apply core, theme, and plugin updates as soon as official fixes are available.
• Logging and alerting
  • Centralise PHP errors, access logs, and audit logs and monitor for anomalies.

Incident response checklist (if you suspect compromise)

1. Quarantine
   • Place the site in maintenance mode or temporarily restrict public access to prevent further leakage.
2. Preserve evidence
   • Collect logs and make forensic copies of affected files (read-only).
3. Rotate secrets
   • Change DB credentials, update wp-config.php, regenerate WordPress salts, and rotate API keys.
4. Reinstall from trusted sources
   • Reinstall WordPress core and plugins from official repositories; avoid reintroducing compromised versions.
5. Scan and clean
   • Run comprehensive malware scans and manually inspect files for backdoors; remove any malicious artifacts.
6. Restore from known-good backup
   • If available, restore the site from a clean backup taken before the suspected compromise.
7. Post-incident hardening
   • Enforce stronger password policies, enable MFA for privileged users, and restrict contributor capabilities.
8. Notify stakeholders
   • Follow legal and regulatory obligations for breach notification applicable in your jurisdiction if sensitive data was exposed.
9. Engage professionals
   • If the compromise is non-trivial, engage an experienced incident responder for containment and forensic analysis.

Why request filtering at the edge (WAF/Reverse proxy) is useful

Plugin patches can take time to be released and rolled out. Edge request filtering (WAF or reverse proxy rules) can rapidly block common exploit patterns — directory traversal, suspicious filenames, and include-like parameters — without modifying site code. These measures are not a replacement for patching, but they reduce attack surface while you implement longer-term fixes.

Search strings and detection queries for administrators

• Search your content for shortcode names and parameters like file=, path=, include=, template=, or view=.
• Scan webserver access logs for ../, %2e%2e, wp-config.php, or references to /etc/passwd in query strings or POST bodies.
• Query the database for posts containing the plugin’s shortcode and any path-like payloads.
• Review post revisions for unexpected edits by Contributor accounts.

If you are unsure what to look for, collect redacted logs and consult a security professional for analysis.

Long-term recommendations for editorial sites

1. Harden editorial workflows — implement content approval processes and two-person reviews for new contributors.
2. Educate authors about allowed shortcode usage and the risks of pasting unknown parameters.
3. Use least privilege — grant the minimum capabilities needed for each user.
4. Prefer plugins with active maintainers and a record of responsiveness to security reports; consider independent security reviews before deploying critical plugins.
5. Sanitise untrusted shortcode content where possible; consider automation to flag suspicious shortcode parameters for manual review.

FAQ

If I have only Administrator and Editor users (no Contributors), am I safe?

The vulnerability requires Contributor or higher to exploit via shortcode content, so risk is reduced if Contributors are absent. However, account takeover or other vectors could still create a Contributor account. Continue to monitor and harden access controls.

Can a WAF block this entirely?

A WAF or reverse proxy with properly written rules can significantly reduce the risk by blocking common exploit patterns. However, it should be one layer of defence in a defence-in-depth approach that includes user hardening and content controls.

If my wp-config.php was exposed, what should I do first?

Rotate the database password immediately, regenerate WordPress salts, audit database access, and consider taking the site offline for containment while you investigate.

Will disabling shortcodes break my site?

Possibly. Disabling shortcode rendering can impact site functionality if those shortcodes are in active use. If disabling is impractical, remove or sanitise specific shortcode occurrences and deploy request filtering until a vendor patch is available.

Final checklist — what to do now

1. Review and restrict Contributor accounts immediately.
2. Search for and sanitize instances of the plugin shortcode in published and draft content.
3. Apply edge request filtering rules to block directory traversal and include-like parameters (use the patterns noted above).
4. If suspicious activity is observed, rotate database credentials and other secrets referenced in wp-config.php.
5. Monitor the plugin author’s official channels for an official patch and apply it promptly.
6. If unsure or if signs of compromise exist, engage an incident response professional for containment and forensic analysis.