📄 Description (English)
The SportsPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 2.7.26 via shortcodes 'template_name' attribute. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level and above permissions, 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 php file type can be uploaded and included.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2025-15368 is a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in SportsPress WordPress plugin versions up to 2.7.26 that allows authenticated contributors and above to execute arbitrary PHP code through the 'template_name' shortcode attribute. With CVSS 8.8, this poses significant risk to WordPress installations hosting sports-related content, particularly those with multiple user accounts. The vulnerability can lead to complete server compromise when combined with file upload capabilities.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 22, 2026 04:07
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations using WordPress for sports content management, event promotion, or community engagement platforms are at risk. Most impacted sectors include: Government sports authorities and ministries managing sports initiatives, Saudi sports clubs and federations hosting WordPress sites, Media and entertainment companies covering sports events, Educational institutions with sports programs, and Tourism/hospitality sectors promoting sports tourism. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in Saudi context where many government and semi-government organizations use WordPress for public-facing portals. Organizations with contributor-level users (content managers, sports journalists, event coordinators) face elevated risk of insider threats or compromised accounts.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government - Sports Authorities and Ministries
Sports and Recreation - Clubs and Federations
Media and Entertainment
Education - Universities and Sports Programs
Tourism and Hospitality
Non-Profit Organizations
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Update SportsPress plugin to version 2.7.27 or later immediately
2. Audit all user accounts with contributor level or above permissions; review recent activities and file uploads
3. Check server logs for suspicious file inclusion attempts in shortcode parameters
4. Review uploaded files for suspicious PHP files or executable content
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Backup WordPress installation and database before updating
2. Update plugin through WordPress admin dashboard or via command line: wp plugin update sportspress
3. Test functionality on staging environment before production deployment
4. Verify no custom modifications to SportsPress that might conflict with patch
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching delayed):
1. Restrict contributor-level permissions to trusted users only; audit and remove unnecessary accounts
2. Disable SportsPress shortcodes if not actively used
3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious template_name parameters containing path traversal sequences (../, ..\\ , etc.)
4. Disable PHP execution in upload directories via .htaccess or web server configuration
5. Monitor file system for unauthorized PHP file creation in WordPress directories
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor WordPress post/page content for shortcodes with template_name containing: ../, ..\\ , php://, file://, or absolute paths
2. Alert on PHP file uploads to wp-content/uploads directory
3. Monitor error logs for 'include' or 'require' statements with user-controlled variables
4. Track database queries modifying post_content with suspicious shortcode patterns
5. Monitor web server access logs for requests with encoded path traversal sequences (%2e%2e, %252e%252e)
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديث مكون SportsPress إلى الإصدار 2.7.27 أو أحدث فوراً
2. تدقيق جميع حسابات المستخدمين على مستوى المساهم أو أعلى؛ مراجعة الأنشطة الأخيرة وتحميلات الملفات
3. فحص سجلات الخادم للمحاولات المريبة لإدراج الملفات في معاملات الاختصار
4. مراجعة الملفات المرفوعة للبحث عن ملفات PHP مريبة أو محتوى قابل للتنفيذ
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. عمل نسخة احتياطية من تثبيت WordPress وقاعدة البيانات قبل التحديث
2. تحديث المكون من لوحة تحكم WordPress أو عبر سطر الأوامر: wp plugin update sportspress
3. اختبار الوظائف في بيئة التجريب قبل نشر الإنتاج
4. التحقق من عدم وجود تعديلات مخصصة على SportsPress قد تتعارض مع التصحيح
الضوابط البديلة (إذا تأخر التصحيح الفوري):
1. تقييد صلاحيات مستوى المساهم للمستخدمين الموثوقين فقط؛ تدقيق وإزالة الحسابات غير الضرورية
2. تعطيل اختصارات SportsPress إذا لم تكن قيد الاستخدام النشط
3. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحظر معاملات template_name المريبة التي تحتوي على تسلسلات اجتياز المسار
4. تعطيل تنفيذ PHP في دلائل التحميل عبر .htaccess أو إعدادات خادم الويب
5. مراقبة نظام الملفات للبحث عن إنشاء ملفات PHP غير مصرح به في دلائل WordPress
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة محتوى منشورات/صفحات WordPress للاختصارات مع template_name يحتوي على: ../ أو ..\\ أو php:// أو file:// أو مسارات مطلقة
2. تنبيه عند تحميل ملفات PHP إلى دليل wp-content/uploads
3. مراقبة سجلات الأخطاء لعبارات 'include' أو 'require' مع متغيرات يتحكم فيها المستخدم
4. تتبع استعلامات قاعدة البيانات التي تعدل post_content بأنماط اختصار مريبة
5. مراقبة سجلات الوصول لخادم الويب للطلبات التي تحتوي على تسلسلات اجتياز مسار مشفرة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies and procedures
A.6.1.1 - Access control policy
A.6.2.1 - User registration and access rights management
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.GV-1 - Organizational processes to manage cybersecurity risk
PR.AC-1 - Access control policy and procedures
PR.PT-2 - System and communications protection
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability scans are performed
RS.RP-1 - Response plan is executed during or after an incident
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1 - Management direction for information security
A.6.1 - Policies for access control
A.6.2 - User access management
A.12.2 - Change management
A.12.6 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2 - Security requirements analysis and specification
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
Requirement 6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
Requirement 7.1 - Limit access to system components
🔗 References & Sources 4
🔗
🔗
🔗
🔗
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/sportspress/tags/2.7.26/includes/class-sp-sh...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/sportspress/tags/2.7.26/includes/class-sp-sh...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/sportspress/tags/2.7.26/includes/sp-core-fun...
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/27e40af7-5697-4482-a96d-92168...
security@wordfence.com