CVE-2025-6553
📋 TL;DR
The Ovatheme Events Manager WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files due to missing file type validation. This vulnerability affects all versions up to 1.8.5 and can lead to remote code execution on vulnerable WordPress sites.
💻 Affected Systems
- Ovatheme Events Manager 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 server compromise via remote code execution, allowing attackers to install malware, steal data, or use the server for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers upload web shells to gain persistent access, deface websites, or install cryptocurrency miners.
If Mitigated
File uploads blocked or sanitized, preventing malicious file execution while maintaining plugin functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple file upload vulnerability with no authentication required. Exploitation tools likely exist in the wild.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.8.5
Vendor Advisory: https://themeforest.net/item/em4u-event-management-multipurpose-wordpress-theme/20846579#item-description__change_log
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Ovatheme Events Manager'
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update available, deactivate and remove the plugin
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate ovatheme-events-manager
Restrict file uploads
linuxAdd web application firewall rules to block suspicious file uploads
# Add to .htaccess:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|pl|py|jsp|asp|sh|cgi)$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement strict file upload filtering at the web server level
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Ovatheme Events Manager version 1.8.5 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name='Ovatheme Events Manager' --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 1.8.5 or plugin is completely removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to /wp-content/uploads/events-manager/
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with file upload parameters
- Execution of unexpected PHP files in upload directories
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with file uploads to vulnerable endpoints
- Traffic to unexpected files in upload directories
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (uri="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND method="POST" AND (params CONTAINS "action=process_checkout" OR params CONTAINS "file_upload"))🔗 References
- https://themeforest.net/item/em4u-event-management-multipurpose-wordpress-theme/20846579
- https://themeforest.net/item/em4u-event-management-multipurpose-wordpress-theme/20846579#item-description__change_log
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/808392a9-dbac-4896-8677-6ddc1213d80d?source=cve
