CVE-2025-3515
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to upload malicious files like .phar extensions to WordPress sites using the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 plugin. Attackers can bypass the plugin's file type blacklist, potentially leading to remote code execution on servers configured to execute .phar files as PHP scripts. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete server compromise, data theft, malware deployment, or site defacement.
Likely Case
Unauthenticated file upload allowing attackers to place malicious files on the server, potentially leading to backdoor installation or limited code execution.
If Mitigated
File upload attempts blocked or isolated in restricted directories with no execution capability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple file upload bypass with known vulnerable endpoint makes exploitation straightforward.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.9.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3310153/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to version 1.3.9.0+. 5. Verify plugin is active and functioning.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate drag-and-drop-multiple-file-upload-contact-form-7
Web server file extension blocking
linuxBlock .phar file execution at web server level
# Apache: Add to .htaccess: <FilesMatch "\.phar$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# Nginx: Add to server block: location ~ \.phar$ { deny all; }
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the plugin completely
- Implement WAF rules to block .phar file uploads and execution
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7' version 1.3.8.9 or lowerCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name='drag-and-drop-multiple-file-upload-contact-form-7' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.3.9.0 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/drag-and-drop-multiple-file-upload-contact-form-7/inc/dnd-upload-cf7.php with .phar file uploads
- File creation events for .phar files in upload directories
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with .phar file uploads to WordPress endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*dnd-upload-cf7.php*" AND (file_extension="phar" OR filename="*.phar")