CVE-2025-13543
📋 TL;DR
The PostGallery WordPress plugin has a vulnerability that allows authenticated users with subscriber-level permissions or higher to upload arbitrary files due to improper file type validation. This can lead to remote code execution on affected WordPress sites. All WordPress sites using PostGallery version 1.12.5 or earlier are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress PostGallery 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 execute arbitrary commands, potentially compromising the WordPress site and underlying server.
If Mitigated
With proper file upload restrictions and web application firewalls, exploitation attempts are blocked, limiting impact to failed upload attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once credentials are obtained. Weaponization is likely given the high CVSS score and RCE potential.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.12.6 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/postgallery/tags/1.12.6/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find PostGallery plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 1.12.6+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict file uploads via .htaccess
linuxBlock execution of uploaded files in upload directories
Add to .htaccess in wp-content/uploads/: <FilesMatch "\.(php|php5|phtml|pl|py|jsp|asp|sh|cgi)$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
Disable plugin
allTemporarily disable PostGallery plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate postgallery
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove subscriber upload capabilities using role editor plugins
- Implement web application firewall with file upload filtering rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for PostGallery version 1.12.5 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=postgallery --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm PostGallery version is 1.12.6 or higher in WordPress plugins list📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to wp-content/uploads/ directory
- POST requests to PostGallery upload endpoints with non-image file types
- Execution of PHP files from upload directories
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=postgallery_upload
- Uploads of executable file types (.php, .phtml, etc.)
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND post_data CONTAINS "postgallery_upload") AND (file_extension IN ("php", "phtml", "php5", "pl", "py", "jsp", "asp", "sh", "cgi"))