Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects the WordPress DeBounce Email Validator plugin through version 5.7. A flaw in how PHP file inclusion is controlled could let an attacker cause the site to include unintended local files. The CVSS score is high, but the source bundle does not show active exploitation or a confirmed fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority WordPress plugin exposure issue. Prioritize externally reachable sites and sites handling customer or operational data. Urgency is elevated by potential high impact, but evidence for active exploitation is not present in the provided sources.
Technical view
CVE-2025-31098 is a CWE-98 improper filename control issue in PHP include/require handling, described as PHP Local File Inclusion in debounce-io-email-validator through 5.7. CVSS 3.1 is 7.5 with network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress installations running DeBounce Email Validator versions up to and including 5.7. Internet-facing WordPress sites using this plugin should be prioritized for inventory review, especially where plugin versions are not centrally managed.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks this as not in CISA KEV and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation is network-reachable but high complexity and requires user interaction. No exploit maturity, public exploit confirmation, or vendor remediation details are included.
Researcher notes
The description mixes CWE-98 remote file inclusion terminology with a local file inclusion outcome. The bundle identifies affected versions through 5.7 but does not provide exploit details, endpoint names, proof of exploitation, or a fixed version. Avoid assuming more than plugin-version exposure until vendor details are confirmed.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the debounce-io-email-validator plugin.
- Flag any DeBounce Email Validator installation at version 5.7 or earlier.
- Check vendor, WordPress, or Patchstack guidance for a fixed version or workaround.
- Temporarily disable or remove the plugin where business impact allows.
- Monitor affected sites for abnormal PHP include errors or plugin-path activity.
Validation and detection
- Confirm plugin presence and exact version on each WordPress instance.
- Verify whether any affected instance is publicly reachable.
- Review web and PHP logs for unusual errors around plugin file handling.
- Document whether vendor guidance identifies a patched release.
- Retest after upgrade, removal, or compensating control deployment.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-98: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2025-31098 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.65.9PatchstackVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/debounce-io-email-validator/vulnerability/wordpress-debounce-email-validator-5-7-local-file-inclusion-vulnerability?_s_id=cveCVE reference, Patchstack · vdb-entry
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.