CVE-2025-4956 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability (CWE-35) found in the AA-Team Pro Bulk Watermark Plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to 2.0. This vulnerability arises from improper sanitization of file path inputs, specifically involving the use of the sequence '.../...//', which can be exploited to traverse directories outside the intended scope. An attacker with at least low-level privileges (PR:L) on the WordPress site can craft malicious requests that manipulate file paths to access unauthorized files on the server. The vulnerability does not require user interaction (UI:N) and can be exploited remotely (AV:N) over the network. The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L) with no direct effect on integrity or availability. Since the plugin is designed to bulk watermark images, it likely handles file uploads and file system operations, making it susceptible to path traversal if input validation is insufficient. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. The vulnerability was reserved in May 2025 and published in August 2025, indicating recent discovery. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3, reflecting a medium risk primarily due to the requirement of some privileges and limited impact scope.

For European organizations using WordPress websites with the AA-Team Pro Bulk Watermark Plugin, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files residing on the web server. This may include configuration files, backups, or other sensitive data stored within the web root or adjacent directories. While the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of files, the exposure of confidential information could facilitate further attacks such as credential theft or lateral movement. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, or government, may face compliance risks if sensitive data is leaked. Additionally, the compromise of website files could damage reputation and trust. Given the plugin’s niche functionality, the overall attack surface is limited to sites that specifically use this plugin, but those affected could experience targeted data breaches. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s presence in a popular CMS ecosystem like WordPress warrants proactive mitigation.

1. Immediately audit all WordPress installations for the presence of the AA-Team Pro Bulk Watermark Plugin and identify affected versions (up to 2.0). 2. Restrict plugin usage to trusted administrators only, minimizing the number of users with privileges required to exploit this vulnerability. 3. Implement strict file system permissions on the web server to limit the plugin’s access to only necessary directories, preventing traversal beyond intended paths. 4. Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests containing path traversal patterns such as '.../...//' or unusual file path manipulations. 5. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the plugin if it is not critical to operations. 6. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting this plugin. 7. Follow AA-Team’s official channels for updates and apply patches promptly once available. 8. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on file upload and path traversal vulnerabilities in WordPress environments.