CVE-2025-10269 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Spirit Framework plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 1.2.13. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-98, which relates to improper control of filenames used in include or require statements in PHP programs, commonly known as a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) or Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability. In this case, the flaw allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to exploit the plugin by including and executing arbitrary PHP files on the server. This is possible because the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize the filename parameter used in PHP include/require statements. An attacker who can upload PHP files (for example, via other upload functionalities or misconfigurations) can then force the plugin to include these files, leading to arbitrary code execution. The impact of this vulnerability is significant: it can bypass access controls, compromise confidentiality by exposing sensitive data, and affect integrity and availability by executing malicious code. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.5, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is network-based (remote), but requires low privileges (authenticated Subscriber or higher) and no user interaction. The complexity is high due to the need for authentication and the ability to upload PHP files, which may not always be straightforward. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the vulnerability is published and thus potentially exploitable. No patches or fixes are currently linked, so mitigation relies on other controls or updates from the vendor. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in WordPress environments where the Spirit Framework plugin is used, as WordPress is widely deployed and often targeted by attackers. The ability for low-privilege users to escalate to code execution can lead to full site compromise.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Spirit Framework plugin installed. The ability for authenticated users with minimal privileges to execute arbitrary PHP code can lead to data breaches, defacement, malware deployment, and lateral movement within the hosting environment. This can compromise customer data, intellectual property, and disrupt business operations. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe across sectors such as government, education, healthcare, and commerce, the potential impact includes regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations due to data exposure), reputational damage, and financial losses. Organizations with multi-tenant hosting or shared environments are at increased risk of cross-site contamination. The lack of a patch increases the urgency for interim mitigations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could also use compromised sites as a foothold for further attacks against European infrastructure or as part of broader cybercrime campaigns.

1. Immediately restrict or review user roles and permissions to ensure that only trusted users have Subscriber-level or higher access, minimizing the attack surface. 2. Disable or remove the Spirit Framework plugin until a vendor patch or update is available. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious include/require requests or attempts to access PHP files via the plugin. 4. Monitor file upload directories and scan for unauthorized PHP files or suspicious uploads that could be leveraged for exploitation. 5. Harden PHP configurations to disable remote file inclusion and restrict include paths where possible. 6. Employ intrusion detection systems to alert on anomalous PHP execution patterns. 7. Regularly audit WordPress plugins and themes for vulnerabilities and maintain an inventory to quickly respond to new threats. 8. Prepare incident response plans specifically for web application compromises involving code execution. 9. Engage with the vendor or community for updates and patches, and apply them promptly once available. 10. Consider isolating WordPress instances in containerized or sandboxed environments to limit the blast radius of potential exploits.