CVE-2025-12640
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Author-level permissions or higher to replace arbitrary media files in the WordPress Media Library. It affects all versions of the Folders plugin up to and including 3.1.5. Attackers can overwrite legitimate media files with malicious content.
💻 Affected Systems
- Folders – Unlimited Folders to Organize Media Library Folder, Pages, Posts, File Manager 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 replace critical media files with malicious content, leading to website defacement, malware distribution, or phishing campaigns using legitimate-looking media.
Likely Case
Attackers replace media files to insert malicious code, redirect users, or deface website content while maintaining plausible deniability.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to media library corruption requiring restoration from backups.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires Author-level WordPress credentials. The vulnerability is in a publicly accessible function with missing authorization checks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.1.6
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3402986/folders/tags/3.1.6/includes/media.replace.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Folders' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 3.1.6+ from WordPress.org and manually replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Folders Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate folders
Restrict User Roles
linuxTemporarily remove Author+ permissions from untrusted users
wp user list --role=author --field=ID | xargs wp user set-role subscriber
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user access controls and review all users with Author+ permissions
- Enable file integrity monitoring for WordPress media uploads directory
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Folders plugin version. If version is 3.1.5 or lower, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get folders --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Folders plugin version is 3.1.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple media file replacement events from same user
- Unusual file upload patterns in WordPress media logs
- Media files being replaced with different file types
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with 'action=folders_file_upload' parameter
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "folders_file_upload" AND ("replace" OR "overwrite")