Import WP – Export and Import CSV and XML files to WordPress <= 2.14.16 - Authenticated (Admin+) Arbitrary File Read
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 2.14.17
- Affected Plugin
- Import WP – CSV & XML Import Export for WordPress
- Affected Version
<= 2.14.16- CVSS
- 4.9Medium
- Weakness type
- CWE-73 · External Control of File Name or Path
- CVE
CVE-2025-12137
At a glance
CVE-2025-12137 is a medium-severity External Control of File Name or Path vulnerability in the Import WP WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 2.14.16. It carries a CVSS score of 4.9 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Admin level or above. The issue is fixed in version 2.14.17; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed October 2025, reported by Jonas Benjamin Friedli.
Vulnerability Overview
The Import WP – Export and Import CSV and XML files to WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in all versions up to, and including, 2.14.16. This is due to the plugin's REST API endpoint accepting arbitrary absolute file paths without proper validation in the 'attach_file()' function when handling 'file_local' actions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level access and above, to read arbitrary files on the server's filesystem, including sensitive configuration files and system files via the 'local_url' parameter.
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality.
CWE-73: External Control of File Name or Path
The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations.
Remediation
Update to version 2.14.17, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
An attacker needs Admin access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. Classes like this one can leave something behind, so the staged malware scanner is the second half: it looks for dropped files and modified code rather than for the request that created them. None of that substitutes for the fix: Import WP 2.14.17 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Firewall
- Scanner
- Alerts
External References
Related records
Other vulnerabilities in Import WP – CSV & XML Import Export for WordPress
- 7.5CVE-2024-13562: Import WP Info Exposure Through Unprotected Directory
CVE-2024-13562 - 7.2CVE-2022-1273: Import WP Arbitrary File Upload
CVE-2022-1273 - 5.5CVE-2023-7253: Import WP SSRF
CVE-2023-7253 - 5.3CVE-2026-14925: Import WP Information Exposure
CVE-2026-14925 - 5.3CVE-2025-12894: Import WP Information Exposure
CVE-2025-12894
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