CVE-2025-15368 is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability classified under CWE-98, affecting the SportsPress – Sports Club & League Manager plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.7.26 and is triggered via the 'template_name' attribute in shortcodes. Authenticated users with contributor-level or higher permissions can manipulate this attribute to include arbitrary files from the server filesystem. If an attacker can upload PHP files (e.g., via other plugin vulnerabilities or misconfigurations), they can execute arbitrary PHP code, leading to remote code execution (RCE). This flaw arises due to improper control of filenames used in include/require statements, allowing attackers to bypass intended access controls. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond authentication and can be exploited remotely over the network. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and privileges required. No official patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant given the plugin's popularity in managing sports clubs and leagues on WordPress sites.

The exploitation of this vulnerability can have severe consequences for organizations using the SportsPress plugin. Attackers with contributor-level access can escalate their privileges by executing arbitrary PHP code on the server, potentially gaining full control over the affected WordPress site and underlying server. This can lead to unauthorized data access, including sensitive user information and site configuration files, defacement, malware implantation, and pivoting to other internal systems. The ability to bypass access controls undermines the integrity and confidentiality of the site. Additionally, service availability can be impacted if attackers deploy destructive payloads or cause resource exhaustion. Given WordPress's widespread use globally, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to sports organizations, clubs, and leagues relying on SportsPress for their online presence and management.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting contributor-level users from uploading files or using shortcodes with the 'template_name' attribute until a patch is available. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the 'template_name' attribute to prevent arbitrary file inclusion. 3. Disable the ability to upload PHP files via WordPress or other plugins to reduce the risk of code execution. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious shortcode usage patterns. 5. Monitor logs for unusual file inclusion attempts or unexpected PHP file executions. 6. Regularly update the SportsPress plugin once the vendor releases a patch addressing this vulnerability. 7. Conduct a thorough security review of user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 8. Consider isolating WordPress environments and employing containerization or sandboxing to limit potential damage from exploitation.