CVE-2025-4524Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated PHP execution via template path traversal

Published May 21, 2025 · Updated Apr 29, 2026

Local file inclusion in WPStylish Madara 2.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute server-side PHP via the template parameter. The unauthenticated madara_load_more AJAX action uses a traversal-bearing template value as an inclusion path without restricting resolution to an approved directory. Direct file reads require only a crafted request; PHP execution additionally requires an attacker-controlled file already present on the server.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability10.37%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Local file inclusion in WPStylish Madara 2.2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute server-side PHP via the template parameter. The unauthenticated madara_load_more AJAX action uses a traversal-bearing template value as an inclusion path without restricting resolution to an approved directory. Direct file reads require only a crafted request; PHP execution additionally requires an attacker-controlled file already present on the server.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-4524
Published
May 21, 2025
Updated
Apr 29, 2026
Vendor
WPStylish
Product
Madara
Classifications
CWE-22, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 21, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 29, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=2.2.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

WPStylish · Madaraversion=0 <=2.2.2

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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