CVE-2025-46256 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-35 found in SigmaPlugin's Advanced Database Cleaner PRO, affecting all versions up to 3.2.10. The vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of file path inputs, specifically the use of the '.../...//' sequence, which bypasses normal path restrictions. This allows an attacker with low privileges (PR:L) to craft malicious requests over the network (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N) to traverse directories outside the intended scope. The vulnerability's scope is changed (S:C), meaning it can affect resources beyond the initially vulnerable component. Exploiting this flaw can lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of files, impacting the integrity and availability of the system, though confidentiality is not directly compromised. The vulnerability is rated with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating medium severity. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the risk remains significant due to the ease of exploitation and potential damage. The Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to optimize and clean databases, making this vulnerability relevant to many web servers and hosting environments that rely on this plugin for maintenance tasks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the integrity and availability of their web infrastructure, particularly those using WordPress with the Advanced Database Cleaner PRO plugin. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized file modifications or deletions, potentially disrupting database cleaning operations, causing data corruption, or leading to denial of service conditions. This could impact e-commerce sites, government portals, and other critical services relying on WordPress. The lack of confidentiality impact reduces the risk of data breaches but does not eliminate operational risks. Given the plugin’s role in database maintenance, attacks could indirectly affect data reliability and system stability. Organizations with limited patch management capabilities or those running older plugin versions are at higher risk. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations.

Organizations should immediately inventory their WordPress installations to identify the presence of Advanced Database Cleaner PRO and verify the version in use. Until an official patch is released, restrict access to the plugin’s functionalities by limiting permissions to trusted administrators only. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns such as '.../...//'. Conduct regular file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes. Harden server configurations to restrict file system permissions, ensuring the plugin cannot access or modify files outside its designated directories. Monitor logs for suspicious activity related to path traversal attempts. Educate administrators on the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely updates. Once a patch is available, prioritize its deployment across all affected systems. Additionally, consider isolating WordPress instances in segmented network zones to limit potential lateral movement.