Security Alert Summary
The Post Slides WordPress plugin contains a vulnerability in versions through 1.0.1 that fails to validate certain shortcode attributes before using them to build paths passed to PHP include functions. This can allow any authenticated user with contributor or higher privileges to perform local file inclusion (LFI) attacks, potentially exposing files on the web server.
CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-15491
- Affected plugin / component: Post Slides WordPress plugin
- Affected versions: through 1.0.1 (as stated in the CVE description)
- Published: February 7, 2026 at 6:16:04 AM (UTC)
- Last modified: February 7, 2026 at 6:16:04 AM (UTC)
- CVSS v3.1 base score, severity, vector: Not specified in the CVE entry
- Authentication / privileges / user interaction:
- Authentication: Required — an authenticated user can trigger the issue (per description).
- Privileges required: Contributor or higher (as noted in the CVE description).
- User interaction: Not specified in CVSS data; the vulnerability is exposed via crafted shortcode attributes supplied by an authenticated user.
- Primary impact:
- Confidentiality: Possible unauthorized disclosure of local files via LFI.
- Integrity: Not specified in the CVE entry; impact to integrity is not described.
- Availability: Not specified in the CVE entry; impact to availability is not described.
- CWE / weakness ID: Not specified in the CVE entry
Technical Details
According to the CVE description, the Post Slides plugin up to version 1.0.1 does not validate some shortcode attributes before using them to generate file paths that are subsequently passed to include function(s). Because the plugin constructs include paths from user-controllable shortcode attributes without adequate validation or sanitization, an authenticated user (for example, a contributor or higher) can craft attribute values that cause the application to include local files.
This type of Local File Inclusion (LFI) exists when input that influences file path construction is not constrained to an allowed set of files or sanitized against path traversal and other manipulations. The CVE entry does not name specific functions, REST API endpoints, or provide code excerpts; it explicitly notes the use of generated paths passed to include functions.
Impact is limited to what an LFI can achieve in the environment: it can expose files readable by the web server process. The CVE entry does not state further follow-on impacts or active exploitation details.
How This Could Impact Your Website
In a multi-user WordPress site, an external contributor or an internal staff member with contributor-level access could supply crafted shortcode attributes in posts or pages to trigger the vulnerable include behavior. A site owner or administrator might be unaware that a contributor’s content contains attempts to access files on the server. If local files are included and their contents disclosed, this could expose sensitive configuration data or user information that resides within web-accessible paths.
Practical consequences include potential exposure of internal user email addresses or other stored data that could increase the risk of targeted phishing or social engineering against staff or contractors. If you’re unsure whether your site is affected or how to assess your current user roles and plugins, it may be worth having a professional review your setup.
Recommended Actions
- Update the affected plugin as soon as a patched version is available.
- Review and reduce unnecessary user roles, especially contributors; limit the number of users with privileges above subscriber.
- Enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication for editors and administrators.
- Remove unused or unmaintained plugins to reduce your attack surface.
- Monitor site activity and logs for unusual behavior, such as unexpected requests that attempt to access local files.
If you’d like help reviewing your plugins, user roles, or overall WordPress security posture, our team at Freshy is happy to help.
