CVE-2025-2004
📋 TL;DR
The Simple WP Events WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files on the server due to insufficient file path validation. This affects all versions up to 1.8.17 and can lead to remote code execution by deleting critical files like wp-config.php. Any WordPress site using this vulnerable plugin is at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Simple WP Events 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 site compromise via remote code execution leading to data theft, defacement, or malware installation
Likely Case
Site disruption or data loss from deletion of critical WordPress files
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file permissions restrict deletion or web application firewall blocks exploit attempts
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP POST request to vulnerable AJAX endpoint with file path parameter
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.8.18 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/simple-wp-events/trunk/admin/includes/wp-events-export-events.php
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Simple WP Events plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update available
5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable AJAX endpoint
linuxBlock access to the wpe_delete_file AJAX action via .htaccess or web server configuration
# Add to .htaccess:
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} action=wpe_delete_file
RewriteRule ^.*$ - [F,L]
Restrict file deletion permissions
linuxSet WordPress files and directories to read-only for web server user
chmod -R 644 wp-content/plugins/simple-wp-events/
chmod -R 755 wp-content/plugins/simple-wp-events/admin/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Simple WP Events plugin
- Implement web application firewall rules to block requests containing 'wpe_delete_file' parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Simple WP Events version. If version ≤1.8.17, vulnerable.Check Version:
grep -r "Version:" wp-content/plugins/simple-wp-events/simple-wp-events.php | head -1Verify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.8.18 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with 'action=wpe_delete_file' parameter
- File deletion events in web server logs for WordPress directories
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to admin-ajax.php with file path parameters
- Unusual file deletion patterns from web server IP
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND uri="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND method="POST" AND query="*action=wpe_delete_file*"