CVE-2025-32633
📋 TL;DR
This path traversal vulnerability in the neoslab Database Toolset WordPress plugin allows attackers to delete arbitrary files on the server. It affects all WordPress sites running Database Toolset version 1.8.4 and earlier. Attackers can exploit this to delete critical system files or website content.
💻 Affected Systems
- neoslab Database Toolset 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 website compromise through deletion of WordPress core files, configuration files, or operating system files, leading to site unavailability and potential data loss.
Likely Case
Website defacement or disruption through deletion of theme files, plugins, or content, requiring restoration from backups.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file permissions are properly configured and web server runs with minimal privileges, though some files may still be deletable.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authentication as a WordPress user with appropriate privileges. The vulnerability is publicly documented with proof-of-concept details available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.8.5 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Database Toolset and click 'Update Now'. 4. If update not available, deactivate and delete the plugin, then install fresh version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Database Toolset Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate database-toolset
Restrict File Deletion Permissions
linuxConfigure web server to run with minimal privileges and restrict write/delete permissions on critical directories.
chmod 755 /var/www/html/wp-content
chown www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wp-content
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Database Toolset plugin entirely and use alternative database management tools.
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block path traversal patterns in HTTP requests.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Database Toolset version. If version is 1.8.4 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get database-toolset --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Database Toolset version shows 1.8.5 or higher in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file deletion events in web server logs
- HTTP requests containing '../' patterns targeting Database Toolset endpoints
- Failed file deletion attempts with path traversal patterns
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with 'action' parameter containing 'database_toolset' and file paths
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri_path="*admin-ajax.php*" AND parameters="*database_toolset*" AND parameters="*../*")