CVE-2025-10406 identifies a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) in the BlindMatrix e-Commerce WordPress plugin prior to version 3.1. The plugin fails to properly validate certain shortcode attributes before using them to construct file paths that are passed to PHP's include functions. This improper limitation of pathname allows authenticated users, including those with contributor-level permissions, to manipulate the input and perform Local File Inclusion (LFI) attacks. LFI vulnerabilities enable attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, source code, or other critical data. Because the vulnerability is exploitable by any authenticated user, the attack surface is broader than if it required administrative privileges. The lack of a CVSS score indicates this is a newly published vulnerability with no known exploits in the wild yet. The vulnerability was reserved in September 2025 and published in October 2025, indicating recent discovery. The BlindMatrix e-Commerce plugin is used to add e-commerce functionality to WordPress sites, which are widely deployed in Europe. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to data breaches, website defacement, or further compromise of the hosting environment. No official patch links are currently available, suggesting that users must monitor for updates or implement manual mitigations. The vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in plugins that handle file operations, especially in multi-user content management systems.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their web applications and hosted data. Since the exploit requires only authenticated user access at contributor level or higher, attackers could leverage compromised or legitimate low-privilege accounts to escalate their impact without needing administrative credentials. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files such as configuration files containing database credentials, internal logs, or user data. This could facilitate further attacks, including privilege escalation or full site compromise. E-commerce sites are particularly sensitive due to the presence of customer data and payment information, increasing regulatory and reputational risks under GDPR and other data protection laws. The availability impact is lower but could occur if attackers modify or delete critical files. The lack of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a high priority once exploits emerge. Organizations relying on BlindMatrix e-Commerce plugins should consider the threat serious, especially those with active contributor roles and high-value data.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the use of the BlindMatrix e-Commerce plugin and determine the version in use. Until an official patch is released, administrators should restrict contributor and other low-privilege user roles from adding or editing shortcodes that could exploit this vulnerability. Implementing strict input validation and sanitization on shortcode attributes at the application or web server level can reduce risk. Monitoring logs for unusual include path requests or file access patterns may help detect exploitation attempts. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to block path traversal patterns targeting the plugin's include functions can provide temporary protection. Organizations should subscribe to BlindMatrix and WordPress security advisories to apply patches promptly once available. Additionally, enforcing the principle of least privilege for user roles and conducting regular security training for content contributors can reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Backup strategies should be reviewed to ensure rapid recovery in case of compromise.