Plugin Name	SportsPress – Sports Club & League Manager
Type of Vulnerability	Local File Inclusion (LFI)
CVE Number	CVE-2025-15368
Urgency	High
CVE Publish Date	2026-02-03
Source URL	CVE-2025-15368

Critical Local File Inclusion Vulnerability in SportsPress (≤ 2.7.26): What WordPress Site Owners Need to Know

Author: Managed-WP Security Experts
Date: 2026-02-04

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Executive Summary: Newly disclosed Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability in the SportsPress plugin (versions ≤ 2.7.26), tracked as CVE-2025-15368, presents a high-risk threat to WordPress sites. Attackers with authenticated Contributor-level privileges can exploit a shortcode parameter to include local server files — potentially exposing critical data like wp-config.php contents and database credentials. Prompt action is essential: verify plugin versions, apply immediate mitigations, and implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with virtual patching to block attack attempts.

This briefing delivers a clear, technical breakdown of how the vulnerability operates, realistic threat scenarios, detection guidance, and step-by-step mitigation strategies tailored for security-conscious WordPress administrators.

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Incident Overview

• Vulnerability: Local File Inclusion (LFI) via shortcode input handling.
• Affected Product: SportsPress – Sports Club & League Manager plugin (WordPress versions ≤ 2.7.26).
• Required Access: Authenticated user with Contributor role or higher.
• Impact: Unauthorized disclosure of local server files, including sensitive credential files, with potential for chained attacks leading to database or code compromise.
• Advisory: No official plugin patch available at disclosure; virtual patching and strict access controls advised.

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Technical Significance

Local File Inclusion vulnerabilities enable malicious users to trick the application into including unintended local files in response content. In this case, the SportsPress shortcode interprets a file path parameter without proper sanitization, making it exploitable.

This is particularly hazardous since files like wp-config.php hold database usernames, passwords, authentication salts, and other secrets critical to site security. An attacker who gains Contributor privileges—which is commonly granted to content creators without publish rights—can embed crafted shortcodes to reveal these secrets.

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How the Exploit Works (Overview)

1. A user with Contributor access creates or edits content embedding the vulnerable SportsPress shortcode.
2. The shortcode accepts a parameter which controls the path of a file to include server-side.
3. Due to insufficient validation, an attacker can inject path traversal sequences (../) to cause inclusion of arbitrary local files.
4. The server then outputs those file contents, exposing sensitive information.

Important: No exploit code is shared here — this summary is to enhance defensive awareness and response.

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Potential Attack Scenarios

• Malicious contributors flex the vulnerability to leak wp-config.php or other sensitive files through publicly visible pages.
• Attackers chain the LFI with other vulnerabilities to execute remote code or escalate their privileges.
• Leakage of log files or plugin source code could reveal further attack vectors.

Initial access commonly stems from compromised contributor credentials, phishing campaigns, or weak user password policies.

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High-Risk Environments

• Sites with multiple contributors, especially those with loosely controlled editorial workflows.
• Membership or community sites granting contributor access to external or untrusted parties.
• Deployments with misconfigured file permissions exposing sensitive files to web access.
• Sites utilizing SportsPress shortcodes in publicly accessible pages or posts.

Proactive vigilance and immediate containment strategies are critical.

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Detecting Exploitation Attempts

1. Review recent content changes by Contributor accounts for suspicious shortcode usage or unknown parameters.
2. Inspect web server logs for requests containing suspicious traversal payloads such as ../ or encoded equivalents (%2e%2e).
3. Look for PHP warnings/errors relating to file includes in application logs.
4. Monitor page outputs for unusual content (e.g., raw configuration files or binary data).
5. Audit database activity for anomalous reads or unexpected data access.
6. Compare file system changes for unexpected modifications in wp-content, uploads, or root directories.
7. Utilize security tools that can flag suspicious shortcode or file inclusion behavior.

Any indicators of compromise should trigger immediate incident response measures.

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Immediate Mitigation Actions

1. Limit Contributor Access: Temporarily restrict or audit contributor accounts, enabling MFA and enforcing strong passwords.
2. Disable or Remove Vulnerable Shortcodes: Where feasible, remove or disable SportsPress shortcode output in content until patched.
3. Plugin Deactivation: If operationally permissible, temporarily deactivate the SportsPress plugin to remove exposure.
4. Implement Virtual Patching via WAF: Deploy firewall rules blocking requests having traversal sequences in shortcode parameters.
5. Credential Rotation: Rotate database passwords, API keys, and regenerate WordPress authentication salts if exposure is suspected.
6. Monitor for Official Updates: Stay alert for plugin patches and apply immediately upon release.
7. Conduct Forensic Preservation: Capture logs and copies of suspicious files for expert analysis if compromise is suspected.

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Recommended WAF Virtual Patch Strategies

The following defensive example rules can be adapted to your Web Application Firewall platform (ModSecurity, NGINX, etc). Test in controlled environments first:

1. Block path traversal patterns:

   If REQUEST_URI or ARGS match regex: (file|path|include)=.*(\.\./|%2e%2e|/etc/|\\etc\\)
   Then BLOCK; LOG; Return 403
     

2. Deny sensitive file extensions:

   If parameters contain \.(php|env|ini|conf|sql|bak)(\b|$)
   Then BLOCK
     

3. Enforce allowlist patterns on shortcode parameters: Only allow alphanumeric, hyphen, or predefined safe strings.
4. Role-based filtering: Block or challenge requests from authenticated Contributors attempting file include manipulations.
5. Disable risky PHP functions server-side: disable allow_url_include and other remote file inclusion functions.

Note: Managed-WP customers receive custom-tuned WAF rule sets that minimize false positives tailored around plugin-specific shortcode behavior.

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Server and Plugin Hardening Best Practices

1. Restrict editing privileges with strict role management; only trusted users should have Contributor and Editor roles.
2. Enforce editorial workflow reviews to catch malicious shortcode attempts prior to publishing.
3. Harden file permissions, especially ensuring wp-config.php is not world-readable.
4. Prevent PHP execution within uploads directories using .htaccess or server configuration.
5. Store backups securely outside publicly accessible directories.
6. Keep WordPress core and plugins updated promptly upon patch release.[For immediate loophole, apply virtual patching]
7. Centralize and monitor logging for anomaly detection and proactive alerting.

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Incident Response Checklist Upon Suspicion or Compromise

1. Place the site in maintenance or private mode to halt external access.
2. Preserve logs and file snapshots for forensic integrity.
3. Rotate all credentials and authentication secrets immediately.
4. Reinstall WordPress core and plugins from trusted sources only.
5. Conduct comprehensive malware and backdoor scans.
6. Restore site from a clean backup if available.
7. Apply enhanced access controls and deploy WAF rules post-incident.
8. Notify legal/compliance teams if sensitive data exposure triggered regulatory obligations.

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Critical Role of WAF and Virtual Patching

• Official plugin patches may lag, leaving a window of exposure; virtual patching mitigates risk by blocking exploit attempts in real-time.
• Virtual patches can precisely target malicious request patterns without disrupting legitimate traffic.
• Integrated telemetry from a WAF facilitates rapid incident response and attack forensics.

Managed-WP strongly recommends WAF deployment for WordPress sites relying on external contributors or complex editorial workflows.

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Detection Queries and Search Strategies

• Scan content and database for suspicious shortcode patterns including parameters like file=, path=, or encoded traversal sequences.
• Examine web server and application logs for traversal payloads and unauthorized request patterns.
• Review WordPress revisions to identify unexpected edits by contributor users.
• When uncertain, provide redacted logs to security professionals for in-depth analysis.

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Long-Term Editorial Security Recommendations

1. Implement dual-approval editorial workflows to reduce insider risk.
2. Train content creators on safe shortcode practices and risks of unreviewed code injection.
3. Adopt least privilege principles strictly for user roles.
4. Prefer plugins with active maintenance and verified security track records.
5. Consider sanitizing or restricting shortcode content from untrusted users.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Am I safe if I only have Admin and Editor users?
A: Although the vulnerability requires a Contributor role to exploit, attackers can attempt to gain lower privilege access through various means. Therefore, it’s recommended to still implement WAF rules and monitoring.

Q: Can a WAF completely block this LFI exploit?
A: A properly configured WAF, especially with virtual patching rules tuned to shortcode parameters and traversal patterns, can significantly reduce risk. However, WAFs complement, not replace, comprehensive security practices.

Q: What steps should I take if wp-config.php contents are exposed?
A: Immediate actions include rotating database credentials, updating WordPress salts, auditing access logs, and considering taking the site offline to prevent further compromise.

Q: Does disabling shortcodes break my site?
A: It may impact functionality depending on shortcode integration. Virtual patching or selective shortcode removal is a safer interim measure if full disabling isn’t feasible.

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Practical WAF Rule Examples for Adaptation

• Block directory traversal tokens in parameters:
  • Detect %2e%2e or ../ in file=, path=, etc.
• Deny attempts to include sensitive file names like wp-config.php, .env, or /etc/passwd.
• Rate-limit suspicious contributor actions with high-volume POST requests installing shortcodes.
• Flag and quarantine posts containing unusual or potentially harmful shortcode parameters for manual review.

Note: Combine WAF rules with contextual data such as user roles, IP reputation, and geolocation for best effect.

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• Expert incident response tailored to WordPress environments.
• Custom assessments and tailored security guidance for your site’s unique configuration.

Contact us for a security review and tailored virtual patching to shield against vulnerabilities like SportsPress LFI.

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Essential Next Steps Checklist

1. Review and restrict Contributor user access immediately.
2. Search content for vulnerable shortcode usage; remove or sanitize.
3. Deploy WAF rules blocking traversal and file inclusion attack vectors.
4. Rotate database credentials if you identify suspicious activity.
5. Monitor for and promptly apply official plugin updates.
6. Consider Managed-WP Free Plan for ongoing managed protection and monitoring.

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If you require expert assistance, Managed-WP’s incident response team is ready to help contain, analyze, and remediate breaches. Begin protecting your site today: https://managed-wp.com/pricing

Stay vigilant and secure,
Managed-WP Security Experts

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References & Further Reading

• CVE-2025-15368: Local File Inclusion vulnerability in SportsPress (≤ 2.7.26).
• Best practices for LFI mitigation and Web Application Firewall hardening.
• WordPress security hardening guides: roles, passwords, backups, and file permissions.

Disclaimer: This post is intended for defense-minded WordPress administrators and security professionals. It does not provide exploit code or offensive instructions. If you suspect compromise, engage a qualified incident responder promptly.

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