CVE-2025-2505
📋 TL;DR
The Age Gate WordPress plugin contains a Local File Inclusion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to include and execute arbitrary PHP files on the server. This can lead to remote code execution, data theft, and complete system compromise. All WordPress sites using Age Gate version 3.5.3 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Age Gate 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
Full server compromise leading to data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, or website defacement through arbitrary code execution.
Likely Case
Attackers upload malicious PHP files via other vectors (like image uploads) then execute them via this vulnerability to gain shell access.
If Mitigated
With proper file upload restrictions and web application firewalls, exploitation attempts are blocked but the vulnerability remains.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP request manipulation required. Exploitation is trivial for attackers with basic web security knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.5.4
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3258075/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Age Gate plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 3.5.4+ from WordPress.org.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Age Gate Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate age-gate
Web Application Firewall Rule
allBlock requests containing malicious 'lang' parameter patterns
Add WAF rule: Block if request_uri contains 'lang=' and contains '.php'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file upload restrictions to prevent PHP file uploads
- Deploy web application firewall with LFI protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Age Gate version. If version ≤ 3.5.3, vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get age-gate --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Age Gate plugin version is 3.5.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests with 'lang' parameter containing '.php' extensions
- Multiple failed attempts with different 'lang' parameter values
- Unusual file inclusion errors in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests to Age Gate endpoints with suspicious 'lang' parameters
- Traffic spikes to vulnerable plugin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*age-gate*" AND (param="*lang=*.php*" OR param="*lang=*/../*")