CVE-2025-12352
📋 TL;DR
The Gravity Forms WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files due to missing file type validation in the copy_post_image() function. This can lead to remote code execution on vulnerable WordPress sites. Only sites with allow_url_fopen enabled, post creation forms active, and file upload fields configured are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Gravity Forms 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
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, and website defacement.
Likely Case
Arbitrary file upload leading to webshell deployment and limited server access.
If Mitigated
File upload attempts blocked by proper validation, no impact.
🎯 Exploit Status
CVSS 9.8 indicates trivial exploitation with high impact
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.9.21 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.gravityforms.com/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Gravity Forms and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 2.9.21 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable allow_url_fopen
allSet allow_url_fopen to Off in php.ini to prevent exploitation
Edit php.ini: allow_url_fopen = Off
Restart web server: sudo systemctl restart apache2
Disable post creation forms
allTemporarily disable Gravity Forms post creation functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file upload attempts to Gravity Forms endpoints
- Restrict file upload permissions and implement file type validation at server level
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Gravity Forms version. If version is 2.9.20 or lower, site is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=gravityforms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Gravity Forms version is 2.9.21 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to Gravity Forms endpoints
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with file upload parameters
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with file uploads to Gravity Forms endpoints
- Unusual file types (.php, .exe) being uploaded
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*gravityforms*" AND method="POST" AND file_upload="true"🔗 References
- https://github.com/pronamic/gravityforms/blob/06de1b7e169e4f073e9d0d491e17b89365b48c20/forms_model.php#L5451C26-L5451C41
- https://github.com/pronamic/gravityforms/blob/06de1b7e169e4f073e9d0d491e17b89365b48c20/includes/fields/class-gf-field-fileupload.php#L306
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/42525101-6196-40b9-90e7-c7f1886ef247?source=cve
