CVE-2025-48338 is a vulnerability classified as improper control of filename for include/require statements in the PHP program within the Kevon Adonis WP Abstracts plugin, specifically in the wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager component. This vulnerability allows remote file inclusion (RFI), where an attacker can manipulate the filename parameter used in PHP include or require functions to load arbitrary remote files. The affected versions are all up to and including 2.7.4. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N). The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as attackers can include and execute remote code or access sensitive files, but there is no direct impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of input controlling the filename in include/require statements, a common PHP security issue. No patches or exploits are currently publicly known, but the high CVSS score of 7.5 reflects the ease of exploitation and potential data exposure. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for WordPress sites using the WP Abstracts plugin to manage abstracts and manuscripts, often in academic or conference settings.

For European organizations, especially universities, research institutions, and conference organizers using the WP Abstracts plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of unauthorized data disclosure. Attackers could remotely include malicious files, potentially leading to exposure of sensitive academic manuscripts, personal data of authors, or internal documents. While the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or system availability, the confidentiality breach could damage reputations and violate data protection regulations such as GDPR. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, making automated scanning and exploitation feasible. Organizations relying on this plugin for managing scholarly content are at risk of intellectual property theft or leakage of unpublished research. Additionally, compromised sites could be used as footholds for further attacks within organizational networks.

Immediate mitigation involves updating the WP Abstracts plugin to a version beyond 2.7.4 once a patch is released. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should disable or remove the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to block suspicious requests attempting to exploit include/require parameters. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation to ensure all filename parameters are sanitized and restricted to local, trusted files only. Monitoring web server logs for unusual requests targeting the plugin’s include functionality can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and least privilege principles to limit potential damage if exploitation occurs. Regular backups and incident response plans should be updated to address potential data exposure scenarios.