CVE-2025-2636 is a critical security vulnerability classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as path traversal) found in the InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 0.1.0.85. The flaw is triggered via the 'instawp-database-manager' parameter, which does not properly sanitize user input, allowing attackers to traverse directories and include arbitrary files from the server. This local file inclusion (LFI) vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by including malicious files, potentially uploaded as images or other seemingly safe file types. The exploitability is high since no authentication or user interaction is required, and the vulnerability can lead to complete compromise of the web server, including access control bypass, data exfiltration, and remote code execution. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, reflecting the critical nature of this vulnerability. Although no patches or official fixes have been released yet, the risk is significant due to the plugin’s usage in WordPress environments, which are common targets for attackers. The vulnerability’s presence in a staging and migration plugin is particularly dangerous because such plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data and system files.

The impact of CVE-2025-2636 is severe for organizations worldwide using the InstaWP Connect plugin. Exploitation can lead to full server compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive data such as database credentials and user information, and bypass security controls. This can result in data breaches, defacement, ransomware deployment, or use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, including many business and government sites, the vulnerability poses a widespread risk. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements makes it easy to exploit remotely, increasing the likelihood of automated attacks and mass exploitation campaigns once exploit code becomes available. Organizations relying on this plugin for staging or migration tasks face operational disruptions and reputational damage if exploited.

Given the absence of an official patch, organizations should immediately implement the following mitigations: 1) Disable or uninstall the InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration plugin until a secure version is released. 2) Restrict access to the plugin’s functionality by limiting HTTP access to trusted IP addresses using web server configurations or firewall rules. 3) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block attempts to exploit the 'instawp-database-manager' parameter, particularly requests containing directory traversal sequences (e.g., '../'). 4) Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests targeting this parameter or unusual file inclusion attempts. 5) Harden file upload handling and ensure that uploaded files are validated and stored outside the web root to prevent execution. 6) Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated and subscribe to vendor security advisories for timely patching. 7) Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on plugin vulnerabilities. These steps reduce exposure and help detect exploitation attempts until an official patch is available.