CVE-2025-10488
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Directorist WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to move arbitrary files on the server due to insufficient file path validation. Attackers can potentially achieve remote code execution by moving critical files like wp-config.php. All WordPress sites using Directorist plugin versions up to 8.4.8 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Directorist: AI-Powered Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings
⚠️ 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
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, and website defacement.
Likely Case
File manipulation leading to privilege escalation, data exposure, or denial of service.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions and web application firewalls are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of file paths but is straightforward once understood.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8.4.9 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3377181%40directorist&new=3377181%40directorist&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Directorist plugin and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 8.4.9 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable AJAX endpoint
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable add_listing_action AJAX endpoint
Add to theme's functions.php: add_filter('wp_ajax_nopriv_add_listing_action', '__return_false');
Add to theme's functions.php: add_filter('wp_ajax_add_listing_action', '__return_false');
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable Directorist plugin completely until patched
- Implement strict file permissions (755 for directories, 644 for files) and disable PHP execution in upload directories
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Directorist version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=directorist --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Directorist plugin version is 8.4.9 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=add_listing_action
- File move operations in web server logs from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to admin-ajax.php with Directorist-specific parameters from unauthenticated sources
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND post_data CONTAINS "action=add_listing_action")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/directorist/tags/8.4.5/includes/classes/class-add-listing.php#L634
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3377181%40directorist&new=3377181%40directorist&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2249ef72-9955-4636-b32f-e88720923268?source=cve
