CVE-2025-0394
📋 TL;DR
The Groundhogg WordPress plugin up to version 3.7.3.5 allows authenticated attackers with Author-level access or higher to upload arbitrary files due to missing file type validation. This vulnerability can lead to remote code execution on affected WordPress sites. Only sites using vulnerable versions of the Groundhogg plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Groundhogg WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain full server control through remote code execution, leading to data theft, site defacement, malware distribution, or complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers upload web shells or malicious scripts to establish persistent access, steal sensitive data, or use the server for malicious activities.
If Mitigated
Attackers can upload files but cannot execute them due to proper file permission controls and security configurations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access with Author privileges or higher. Exploitation involves uploading malicious files through the vulnerable function.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.7.3.5
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/groundhogg/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Groundhogg plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict File Uploads
ApacheImplement server-side restrictions on file uploads in the Groundhogg upload directory
# Add to .htaccess in upload directory:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|php7|phps|php8|inc|pl|py|jsp|asp|aspx|cgi|sh|bash|exe|dll|so|bat|cmd|ps1|vbs|js|jar|war|ear|rb|pyc|pyo)">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately disable or remove the Groundhogg plugin from all WordPress installations
- Implement strict file upload monitoring and restrict Author-level user permissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Groundhogg version. If version is 3.7.3.5 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=groundhogg --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Groundhogg version is higher than 3.7.3.5 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to Groundhogg directories
- PHP or executable files in upload directories
- Multiple failed upload attempts from Author-level users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to Groundhogg file upload endpoints
- Traffic patterns suggesting file upload exploitation
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("groundhogg" OR "gh_big_file_upload") AND ("upload" OR "file") AND status=200🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/groundhogg/tags/3.7.3.5/includes/big-file-uploader.php#L117
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3221208/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/groundhogg/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/b2cf3b85-2e2d-43dc-9877-9a740d4fd2fb?source=cve
