CVE-2025-9762
📋 TL;DR
The Post By Email WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files due to missing file type validation. This can lead to remote code execution on affected WordPress sites. All WordPress sites using Post By Email plugin versions up to 1.0.4b are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Post By Email 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, deface websites, or use the server for further attacks.
Likely Case
Attackers upload web shells or malicious scripts to gain persistent access, install backdoors, or deface the website.
If Mitigated
File uploads blocked or restricted, preventing code execution but potentially allowing denial of service through disk space consumption.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple file upload vulnerability with no authentication required. Exploitation tools are likely available in penetration testing frameworks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/post-by-email/tags/1.0.5/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find Post By Email plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Post By Email plugin
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate post-by-email
Restrict file uploads via .htaccess
linuxBlock PHP and other executable file uploads to WordPress uploads directory
Add to .htaccess in wp-content/uploads: <Files *.php> deny from all </Files>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the Post By Email plugin
- Implement web application firewall rules to block file uploads to the vulnerable endpoint
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for Post By Email plugin version 1.0.4b or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get post-by-email --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.5 or later, or confirm plugin is not installed/activated📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to WordPress uploads directory
- POST requests to email processing endpoints with file attachments
- Execution of unexpected PHP files in uploads directory
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with file uploads to /wp-content/plugins/post-by-email/ endpoints
- Unusual outbound connections from web server after file uploads
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/post-by-email/" AND method="POST" AND content_type="multipart/form-data")