CVE-2025-31002
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-31002 is an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Squeeze WordPress plugin that allows attackers to upload malicious files to vulnerable websites. This affects all WordPress sites running Squeeze plugin versions up to 1.6. Attackers can exploit this to upload webshells or other malicious files and potentially gain full control of affected websites.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Squeeze 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 website compromise leading to data theft, defacement, malware distribution, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Attackers upload webshells to gain persistent access, then install backdoors, steal data, or use the site for phishing/malware distribution.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file uploads are restricted at web server level or WAF blocks malicious upload patterns.
🎯 Exploit Status
Public exploit details available on Patchstack. Simple HTTP POST requests with malicious files can exploit this vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.7 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/squeeze/vulnerability/wordpress-squeeze-plugin-1-6-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Squeeze plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin, then install fresh version 1.7+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Server File Upload Restrictions
allConfigure web server to block upload of executable file types
# For Apache .htaccess:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|php7|phps|php8|pl|py|jsp|asp|aspx|sh|cgi|exe|dll|bat|cmd|ps1|psm1|psd1|ps1xml|psc1|pssc|reg|scf|scr|vbs|vbe|wsf|wsh|wsc|msi|msu|msp|mst|jar|war|ear|class|jspx|jspf|jsw|jsv|jspf|jtml|swf|htaccess|htpasswd|ini|log|config|sql|bak|backup|old|temp|tmp)$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# For Nginx:
location ~* \.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|php7|phps|php8|pl|py|jsp|asp|aspx|sh|cgi|exe|dll|bat|cmd|ps1|psm1|psd1|ps1xml|psc1|pssc|reg|scf|scr|vbs|vbe|wsf|wsh|wsc|msi|msu|msp|mst|jar|war|ear|class|jspx|jspf|jsw|jsv|jspf|jtml|swf|htaccess|htpasswd|ini|log|config|sql|bak|backup|old|temp|tmp)$ {
deny all;
}
WordPress Security Plugin Configuration
allUse security plugins to restrict file uploads and monitor for malicious activity
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Squeeze plugin from all WordPress installations
- Implement strict web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file uploads to the plugin's vulnerable endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Squeeze plugin version. If version is 1.6 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
# From WordPress root directory:
grep -r "Version:" wp-content/plugins/squeeze/* | head -1
# Or check WordPress admin panel Plugins pageVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Squeeze plugin shows version 1.7 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/squeeze/ upload endpoints
- File uploads with suspicious extensions (.php, .phtml, .exe, etc.)
- Unauthorized file creation in upload directories
- Webshell access patterns in access logs
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/squeeze/ with file uploads
- Unusual outbound connections from WordPress server after file uploads
SIEM Query:
source="web_access_logs" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/squeeze/" AND http_method="POST" AND (file_extension="php" OR file_extension="phtml" OR file_extension="exe" OR file_extension="jsp"))