CVE-2025-48338 is a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability found in the Kevon Adonis WP Abstracts plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to 2.7.4. The vulnerability arises from improper control over the filename parameter used in PHP include or require statements within the wp-abstracts-manuscripts-manager component. This flaw allows an attacker to supply a remote URL as the filename, causing the server to execute malicious PHP code hosted externally. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it exploitable over the network by any unauthenticated attacker. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 reflects the high confidentiality impact due to potential data disclosure, though integrity and availability impacts are not directly affected. While no public exploits have been reported yet, the nature of RFI vulnerabilities makes them attractive targets for attackers aiming to execute arbitrary code or access sensitive information. The plugin is commonly used in academic and research environments to manage manuscript submissions, increasing the risk to intellectual property and confidential research data. The vulnerability was reserved in May 2025 and published in October 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. No official patches or mitigation links are provided yet, emphasizing the need for proactive defensive measures.

European organizations using the WP Abstracts plugin, particularly universities, research institutions, and academic publishers, face significant risks from this vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive manuscripts, research data, and personal information of authors and reviewers, undermining confidentiality. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise data integrity or availability, attackers could leverage the RFI to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to further compromise or lateral movement within networks. The impact is heightened in Europe due to strict data protection regulations like GDPR, where data breaches can result in severe legal and financial penalties. Additionally, the academic sector in Europe is a strategic target for espionage and intellectual property theft, increasing the attractiveness of this vulnerability to threat actors. The lack of authentication requirements and ease of exploitation increase the likelihood of attacks, especially in countries with widespread WordPress adoption and active academic communities.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from Kevon Adonis and apply them immediately once available. 2. In the absence of patches, disable or remove the WP Abstracts plugin if not essential to reduce attack surface. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block suspicious include/require requests and remote file inclusion attempts. 4. Restrict PHP configuration settings by disabling allow_url_include and allow_url_fopen directives to prevent remote file inclusion. 5. Harden file system permissions to ensure the web server user cannot write or execute unauthorized files. 6. Conduct code reviews and audits of the plugin to identify and remediate unsafe include/require usage. 7. Employ network segmentation to isolate web servers hosting WordPress from sensitive backend systems. 8. Monitor logs for unusual requests or errors related to file inclusion attempts. 9. Educate site administrators about the risks and signs of exploitation. 10. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) tuned for PHP RFI patterns.