CVE-2025-53260
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to upload arbitrary files, including web shells, to WordPress sites using the File Manager Plugin. Attackers can gain full control of affected websites, leading to data theft, defacement, or further network compromise. All WordPress installations using vulnerable versions of the File Manager Plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- File Manager Plugin For Wordpress
⚠️ 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 server compromise leading to data exfiltration, ransomware deployment, or use as a pivot point for internal network attacks.
Likely Case
Website defacement, malware distribution, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative access to WordPress.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file upload restrictions, web application firewalls, and file integrity monitoring in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and can be automated. Public proof-of-concept code exists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 7.6 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'File Manager Plugin For Wordpress'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 7.6+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible.
wp plugin deactivate file-manager-plugin-for-wordpress
Restrict File Uploads via .htaccess
linuxBlock execution of uploaded files in the plugin's upload directory.
<FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|php7|phps|php8|inc|pl|py|jsp|asp|aspx|sh|cgi)">\n Order Allow,Deny\n Deny from all\n</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement a web application firewall (WAF) with rules blocking file uploads to the plugin's endpoints.
- Enable file integrity monitoring on the plugin's upload directory and alert on new executable files.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'File Manager Plugin For Wordpress' version 7.5 or lower.Check Version:
wp plugin get file-manager-plugin-for-wordpress --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 7.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel or via wp-cli: wp plugin get file-manager-plugin-for-wordpress --field=version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/file-manager-plugin-for-wordpress/upload.php with .php/.jsp/.asp extensions
- Unusual file creation in wp-content/uploads/file-manager-plugin directories
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from web server to unknown IPs shortly after file upload requests
SIEM Query:
source="web_access.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/file-manager-plugin-for-wordpress/upload.php" AND method="POST") AND (user_agent CONTAINS "curl" OR user_agent CONTAINS "wget" OR user_agent="-")