CVE-2025-9693
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Subscriber-level access or higher to delete arbitrary files on the server due to insufficient file path validation in the User Meta plugin. Attackers can achieve remote code execution by deleting critical files like wp-config.php. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the User Meta plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- User Meta – User Profile Builder and User management 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 site compromise via remote code execution leading to data theft, defacement, or malware installation
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
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once authenticated
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.1.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/user-meta/tags/3.1.3
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'User Meta' plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If not, download version 3.1.3+ from WordPress.org and manually update
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable User Meta Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate user-meta
Restrict File Permissions
linuxSet restrictive permissions on critical WordPress files
chmod 400 wp-config.php
chmod 400 wp-admin/*
chmod 400 wp-includes/*
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Subscriber role from all users or restrict user registration
- Implement web application firewall rules to block file deletion attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → User Meta → Version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get user-meta --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 3.1.3 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=postInsertUserProcess
- File deletion events in web server logs
- Unauthorized file access attempts
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with file path parameters in POST data
- Unusual admin-ajax.php requests from non-admin users
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND post_data CONTAINS "postInsertUserProcess")