The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-9196 affects the Trinity Audio – Text to Speech AI audio player plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 5.21.0. Upon installation, the plugin creates a file located at ~/admin/inc/phpinfo.php, which is accessible without any authentication or user interaction. This phpinfo.php file exposes detailed PHP configuration information, including environment variables, installed modules, server paths, and potentially sensitive data such as database credentials or API keys if they are present in the environment or configuration. Because the file is publicly accessible, unauthenticated remote attackers can retrieve this information, constituting an exposure of sensitive information (CWE-200). The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and impact limited to confidentiality (C:L) without affecting integrity or availability. Although no public exploits are currently known, the information disclosed could facilitate further targeted attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation. The plugin’s widespread use in WordPress sites that convert text content to audio makes this a relevant concern for content-heavy websites. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for interim mitigations.

For European organizations, the exposure of sensitive configuration data can lead to increased risk of targeted attacks, including credential compromise, unauthorized access, and lateral movement within networks. Organizations relying on the Trinity Audio plugin for content accessibility or engagement may inadvertently expose internal server details, database credentials, or API keys, which can be leveraged by attackers to escalate privileges or exfiltrate data. This is particularly critical for media companies, educational institutions, and e-commerce platforms that use WordPress extensively. The confidentiality breach does not directly disrupt service or data integrity but undermines trust and can be a stepping stone for more severe attacks. Given the plugin’s role in converting content to audio, sites with high traffic or sensitive content could be more attractive targets. The medium severity rating suggests that while the immediate impact is limited, the potential for exploitation in a chained attack scenario is significant. Organizations in Europe must consider the regulatory implications of data exposure under GDPR, as unauthorized disclosure of configuration data could include personal data or lead to further breaches involving personal data.

Immediate mitigation steps include manually deleting or restricting access to the ~/admin/inc/phpinfo.php file on affected WordPress installations. Web server configurations (e.g., .htaccess for Apache or equivalent for Nginx) should be updated to deny public access to this file or the entire admin/inc directory if feasible. Organizations should monitor web server logs for any access attempts to phpinfo.php and investigate suspicious activity. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or removing the Trinity Audio plugin if it is not critical to operations. For sites that must continue using the plugin, implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to block requests targeting the phpinfo.php path. Additionally, review and minimize sensitive information stored in environment variables or configuration files accessible via phpinfo. Once a vendor patch is available, apply it promptly. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should include checks for exposed phpinfo files or similar information disclosure vectors. Finally, educate site administrators about the risks of exposing diagnostic files in production environments.