CVE-2025-47688
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the Advanced File Manager WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. Attackers can bypass authorization checks to perform unauthorized actions, affecting all WordPress sites running Advanced File Manager versions up to 5.3.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advanced File Manager WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Advanced File Manager by Advancedfilemanager
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the WordPress site through privilege escalation, allowing attackers to modify or delete files, install malicious plugins, or take full administrative control.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to file management functions, potentially allowing attackers to upload malicious files, modify existing content, or access sensitive information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls and monitoring in place, potentially only allowing minor configuration changes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but can be performed by authenticated users with limited privileges. The vulnerability is in notice dismissal functionality that lacks proper authorization checks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.3.2 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Advanced File Manager' and check if update is available. 4. Click 'Update Now' or manually update to version 5.3.2+. 5. Verify the plugin is active and functioning correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Advanced File Manager Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible
wp plugin deactivate file-manager-advanced
Restrict Plugin Access
allUse WordPress role management to restrict who can access file management functions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
- Enable comprehensive logging and monitoring for file management activities and unauthorized access attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Advanced File Manager version. If version is 5.3.1 or lower, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get file-manager-advanced --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the plugin version shows 5.3.2 or higher in WordPress admin panel and test file management functionality with non-admin users.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized file management activities by non-admin users
- Multiple failed authorization attempts on file management endpoints
- Unexpected notice dismissal events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with file management actions
- Requests to file management endpoints from unauthorized user roles
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("file-manager-advanced" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND ("action=file_manager" OR "notice_dismiss") AND user_role!="administrator"