high CVSS 7.2

CVE-2025-4857·PHP vulnerability

The Newsletters plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 4.9.9.9 via the 'file' parameter. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

Severity
high
Software
PHP
Fixed in
4.10
Published
2025-05-31

Affected versions

Until: 4.10

Fixed in: 4.10

How to fix this CVE

Update the Newsletters plugin for WordPress to version 4.10 or later to patch the Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the 'file' parameter. Administrator accounts should immediately apply this update as the vulnerability allows authenticated high-privilege users to include and execute arbitrary PHP files from the server. Verify the plugin version after patching to ensure the fix has been applied correctly.

sudo dnf update php

Defensia detects this vulnerability

What an exploitation attempt looks like

Sample log line indicative of exploitation attempts:

POST|GET requests to wp-content/plugins/newsletters-lite/wp-mailinglist.php containing file= parameter with path traversal sequences such as ../ or absolute paths like /etc/passwd or /var/www/uploads/

WAF mitigation (if patching is not yet possible)

Add this rule to your WAF to block exploitation attempts while you schedule the patch. 

Block or rate-limit requests to /wp-content/plugins/newsletters-lite/wp-mailinglist.php that contain the 'file' parameter unless it matches a strict whitelist of allowed file paths. Implement input validation rules to reject path traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.) in the file parameter.

How to check if you are affected

  1. Check the installed PHP version: php -v
  2. Verify the Newsletters plugin version by connecting to your WordPress site and navigating to Plugins → Installed Plugins, then look for 'Newsletters' and note the version number displayed
  3. Search web server access logs for requests containing 'file=' parameter in the plugin's endpoint: grep -i 'newsletters.*file=' /var/log/apache2/access.log or /var/log/nginx/access.log
  4. Confirm the patch was applied by re-checking the plugin version in WordPress admin panel; version 4.10 or higher indicates successful remediation

FAQ

What is CVE-2025-4857?

CVE-2025-4857 is a Local File Inclusion vulnerability in the Newsletters WordPress plugin that allows administrators to include and execute arbitrary PHP files via an unsanitized 'file' parameter, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution and data compromise.

Is CVE-2025-4857 being actively exploited?

No, CVE-2025-4857 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are currently available, though the vulnerability should still be patched immediately as a precaution.

What versions of the Newsletters plugin are affected by CVE-2025-4857?

All versions of the Newsletters plugin up to and including 4.9.9.9 are vulnerable; version 4.10 and later contain the security patch.

How do I check if my WordPress site is vulnerable to CVE-2025-4857?

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins, find the 'Newsletters' plugin, and verify the version number. If it shows 4.9.9.9 or lower, your site is vulnerable.

Does Defensia detect CVE-2025-4857?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed plugin versions against the NVD database. If the Newsletters plugin is active on your WordPress site, CVE-2025-4857 will appear in your Defensia dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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