CVE-2025-68591
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Simple File List WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. It affects all versions up to and including 6.1.15, potentially exposing file management functionality to unauthorized users.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Simple File List 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
Unauthenticated attackers could upload, delete, or modify files on the WordPress server, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data theft, or malware installation.
Likely Case
Attackers could upload malicious files, deface websites, or access sensitive files that should be protected by the plugin's file list functionality.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, only authorized administrators could manage files through the plugin interface.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability allows unauthenticated access to file management endpoints. Exploitation requires minimal technical skill.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.1.16 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Simple File List and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify update to version 6.1.16 or later.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Simple File List plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate simple-file-list
Restrict plugin access via .htaccess
linuxAdd access restrictions to plugin directories
Add 'Deny from all' to .htaccess in /wp-content/plugins/simple-file-list/
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall rules to block unauthorized access to /wp-content/plugins/simple-file-list/ endpoints
- Monitor file uploads and modifications in the plugin directory for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Simple File List version. If version is 6.1.15 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get simple-file-list --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 6.1.16 or later in WordPress admin panel. Test file upload functionality as non-admin user should be denied.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/simple-file-list/ endpoints
- File uploads from unauthenticated users to plugin directories
- 403 errors followed by successful 200 responses to plugin endpoints
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to plugin-specific endpoints from external IPs
- File upload requests without proper authentication headers
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/simple-file-list/*" AND (http_method="POST" OR http_method="DELETE") AND NOT user_agent="WordPress/*")