Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a critical WordPress plugin issue: affected Work The Flow File Upload versions can allow unauthenticated users to upload arbitrary files. On a web server, that can lead to site takeover or remote code execution. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV active exploitation, but public exploit references exist.
Executive priority
Prioritize immediately for any internet-facing WordPress estate. The impact is full compromise, exploitation requires no login, and public exploit references exist. If the plugin is not present, document non-exposure and continue routine monitoring.
Technical view
The weakness is CWE-434 in Work The Flow File Upload through 2.5.2. Missing file type validation in bundled jQuery-File-Upload-9.5.0 server and test files permits unauthenticated arbitrary uploads. CVSS 3.1 is 9.8, network exploitable, no privileges or user interaction required, with possible RCE.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites with the Work The Flow File Upload plugin installed at versions up to 2.5.2 and reachable web upload paths. The bundle’s affected metadata is inconsistent, so confirm against plugin inventory rather than CPE alone.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false in the bundle. However, Packet Storm, WPScan, Acunetix, Wordfence, and Rapid7 references indicate public vulnerability and exploit-module coverage. Treat internet-facing affected WordPress sites as urgent even without confirmed active exploitation evidence.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strong for vulnerability class, severity, and affected version range through 2.5.2. The bundle does not provide KEV confirmation or a clearly named fixed release. Avoid relying on the CPE-style affected entry because it appears incomplete or inconsistent.
Mitigation direction
- Disable or remove the plugin on affected WordPress sites until vendor guidance confirms safety.
- Check Wordfence, WPScan, and WordPress plugin guidance for any fixed version or removal notice.
- Remove exposed jQuery File Upload server or test files if vendor guidance identifies them.
- Review uploaded files and web roots for unexpected executable content.
- Harden web server rules to prevent script execution from upload directories.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for Work The Flow File Upload plugin versions up to 2.5.2.
- Confirm whether bundled jQuery-File-Upload-9.5.0 server or test files are web reachable.
- Review web logs for unauthenticated upload requests to plugin paths.
- Inspect upload directories for unexpected scripts or recently modified files.
- Verify remediation by confirming the vulnerable plugin files are absent or no longer reachable.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-434: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2015-10138 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/eb271cc8-01ec-45eb-9d6f-efc55c7c3923?source=cveCVE reference
- https://www.homelab.it/index.php/2015/04/04/wordpress-work-the-flow-file-upload-vulnerability/CVE reference
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/131294/CVE reference
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/131512/CVE reference
- https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/a49a81a9-3d4b-4c8d-b719-fc513aceecc6CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=1127456%40work-the-flow-file-upload&new=1127456%40work-the-flow-file-upload&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=1127457%40work-the-flow-file-upload&new=1127457%40work-the-flow-file-upload&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=CVE reference
- https://www.acunetix.com/vulnerabilities/web/wordpress-plugin-work-the-flow-file-upload-arbitrary-file-upload-2-5-2/CVE reference
- https://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/unix/webapp/wp_worktheflow_upload/CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.