CVE-2025-14804
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Frontend File Manager WordPress plugin allows any authenticated user, including low-privilege subscribers, to delete arbitrary files on the server. The plugin fails to validate file paths and ownership before deletion operations. This affects WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of the plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- Frontend 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
Complete server compromise through deletion of critical system files, website defacement, or deletion of WordPress core files leading to site unavailability.
Likely Case
Malicious users deleting important website files, causing service disruption, data loss, or privilege escalation by removing security files.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions are set and only trusted users have access, though the vulnerability still exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but minimal technical skill. The vulnerability is straightforward to exploit once an attacker has any WordPress user account.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 23.5
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/c572c0ad-1b36-49ce-b254-2181e53abb46/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Frontend File Manager' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 23.5+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate frontend-file-manager
Restrict User Registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from creating accounts
In WordPress Settings > General, uncheck 'Anyone can register'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions on web server directories to limit damage
- Monitor and audit file deletion activities through server logs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Frontend File Manager version. If version is below 23.5, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get frontend-file-manager --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 23.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file deletion patterns in WordPress or web server logs
- Multiple DELETE requests from subscriber-level users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to plugin endpoints with file deletion parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "frontend-file-manager" AND "delete" AND (user_role="subscriber" OR user_role="contributor")