InstaWP Connect - Path Traversal (CVE-2025-2636)

CVE-2025-2636 is a critical path traversal vulnerability in the InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to 0.1.0.85. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit the 'instawp-database-manager' parameter to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to remote code execution, data theft, or bypassing access controls. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to upload and execute malicious PHP code, putting affected WordPress sites at significant risk.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 17th of June 2025.

CrowdSec network data shows that most actors exploiting CVE-2025-2636 rely on broad, untargeted scans with minimal filtering. The activity is largely automated and opportunistic in nature. Additionally, according to week-over-week analysis by CrowdSec, exploitation of CVE-2025-2636 is surging. Attack volumes are spiking well above historical norms, indicating widespread and escalating interest from threat actors. CVE-2025-2636 is currently experiencing high visibility and active exploitation across the internet.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending filesystem-paths to any url using the instawp-database-manager parameter, leading to Local File Inclusion exploits.