WordPress, the world's most popular content management system, remains a frequent target for malicious actors in the ever-evolving web security landscape. To keep website owners and developers informed and prepared, we present a monthly recap of the most critical security vulnerabilities discovered within the WordPress ecosystem. This series aims to highlight significant threats, explain their potential impact, and offer guidance on mitigation strategies.

In this installment, we delve into CVE-2025-0493, a vulnerability that emerged as the most critical WordPress security flaw of January 2025. This article will dissect the technical details of CVE-2025-0493, exploring how attackers could exploit it and the significant consequences for affected websites. We will also provide actionable steps to ensure your WordPress site remains protected against this and similar threats.

CVE-2025-0493 is a critical security vulnerability that affects the MultiVendorX plugin for WordPress. MultiVendorX is a popular plugin used to create multivendor marketplace solutions using WooCommerce. This vulnerability was discovered in all versions of MultiVendorX up to and including 4.2.14.

CVE-2025-0493 is a Limited Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability exploitable by unauthenticated attackers. By manipulating the 'tabname' parameter, malicious actors can force the server to include and execute arbitrary PHP files.

This flaw presents a significant security risk, potentially leading to:

• Access Control Bypass: Unauthorized access to restricted application areas.
• Data Breach: Exposure of sensitive information, potentially leading to further compromise.
• Remote Code Execution (RCE): If attackers can upload and include malicious PHP files, they can execute arbitrary code on the server.
• Integrity Compromise: Modification or deletion of server data.
• Availability Issues: Service disruptions or complete system takeover due to malicious code execution.

This vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical), which is the highest severity level. This score signifies a severe risk that demands immediate attention.

The associated CVSS vector string is: CVSS:3.1/AV: N/AC: L/PR: N/UI: N/S: U/C: H/I: H/A: H

This score reflects the following characteristics:

AV:N - Network exploitable
AC:L - Low attack complexity
PR:N - No privileges required
UI:N - No user interaction needed
S:U - Scope is unchanged
C:H - High confidentiality impact
I:H - High integrity impact
A:H - High availability impact

For more information, use one of the following URLs: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-0493 or https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-0493.

A Limited Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability is a security flaw that allows an attacker to read files on a web server but with certain restrictions. It's a "local" file inclusion because the attacker can only access files already on the server's file system.

The "limited" aspect comes from the attacker's control over which files are included, which is often constrained. They might be limited to specific directories, file types, or naming conventions. Unlike a full Local File Inclusion, where an attacker might be able to include any file on the system, a Limited LFI might restrict them, for example, to files within a designated "uploads" directory or only files with a specific extension like .txt or .PHP.

Attackers exploit LFI vulnerabilities by manipulating input parameters, such as those found in URLs or form fields, to trick the web application into including and executing or displaying the contents of unintended files.

While the limitations might seem to reduce the severity, Limited LFIs can still be quite dangerous, they can be used to:

• Gain access to sensitive information: Even if the attacker can't access the entire file system, they might be able to read configuration files, log files, or other sensitive data within the allowed directories. This information can be used to compromise the system further.

• Bypass authentication: In some cases, Limited LFIs can be used to include files that handle authentication, potentially allowing attackers to bypass login procedures.

• Gain a foothold for further attacks: Even if the directly accessible files aren't immediately exploitable, their information can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks, such as exploiting other vulnerabilities or gaining a better understanding of the server's architecture.

The severity of a Limited LFI depends heavily on the specific restrictions in place and the nature of the accessible files. While not as universally dangerous as a full LFI, it still represents a significant security risk that should be addressed promptly.

Following is the vulnerable code snippet

CVE-2025-0493 represents a significant security threat to WordPress websites utilizing the MultiVendorX plugin. The Limited Local File Inclusion vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to gain access to sensitive information, execute arbitrary code, and compromise the integrity and availability of affected sites.

This means that attackers could potentially access your sensitive data, manipulate your website's functionality, and even take over your entire website. Prompt action is paramount, and updating to the latest patched version of MultiVendorX is the most critical step in mitigating this risk. Furthermore, implementing layered security measures, including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems, is essential for robust protection against this and similar vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and proactive monitoring are crucial for maintaining a secure WordPress environment.

Here at Quttera, we offer comprehensive protection against vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-0493. Our website protection services, including a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and user-side and server-side malware monitoring, enable proactive identification and mitigation of security threats.

By utilizing Quttera's solutions, website owners can bolster their defenses, significantly reduce their risk of attack, and maintain the security and integrity of their online presence.