CVE-2025-3520
📋 TL;DR
The Avatar WordPress plugin has an arbitrary file deletion vulnerability that allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to delete any file on the server. This can lead to remote code execution by deleting critical files like wp-config.php. All WordPress sites using Avatar plugin versions 0.1.4 and earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Avatar 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 ransomware deployment
Likely Case
Site disruption or data loss from deletion of critical WordPress files
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper file permissions and access controls are in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires authenticated access but Subscriber role is easy to obtain
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 0.1.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/avatar/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find Avatar plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Avatar Plugin
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin immediately
wp plugin deactivate avatar
Restrict User Registration
allTemporarily disable new user registration to prevent attackers from obtaining Subscriber accounts
Set 'Anyone can register' to false in WordPress Settings → General
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file permissions (wp-config.php should be 400 or 440)
- Add web application firewall rules to block file deletion requests to the Avatar plugin
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Avatar plugin version 0.1.4 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get avatar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm Avatar plugin is either updated to version 0.1.5+ or completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file deletion requests in web server logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by file deletion requests
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to avatar.php with file deletion parameters
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*/avatar.php*" AND (method="POST" OR params="*delete*" OR params="*file*" OR params="*path*")