Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This vulnerability affects the WordPress File Manager plugin through version 3.0. A missing authorization check could let an unauthenticated attacker upload or download server files, creating a path to full site compromise and possible code execution.
Executive priority
Treat as urgent for any public WordPress site using this plugin. The issue can expose sensitive files and may allow code execution without credentials, which creates direct business risk to websites, customer data, and hosting environments.
Technical view
CVE-2018-25105 is a CWE-862 missing authorization issue in /inc/root.php. The source states unauthenticated attackers may download arbitrary files and upload arbitrary files usable for remote code execution. CVSS 3.1 is 9.8 critical: network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running the File Manager plugin version 3.0 or earlier. Internet-facing WordPress installations have the highest concern. The source bundle contains an inconsistent affected-products entry, so confirm against installed plugin metadata.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation. Risk remains high because the described impact includes unauthenticated file upload, arbitrary download, and potential remote code execution.
Researcher notes
The CVE description and Wordfence reference identify File Manager through 3.0 as vulnerable. The provided affected array lists version “0” with defaultStatus “unaffected,” which appears incomplete or inconsistent. Do not infer broader product impact from this bundle alone.
Mitigation direction
- Identify WordPress sites running File Manager plugin version 3.0 or earlier.
- Update the plugin beyond 3.0 or to the latest vendor-supported release.
- Disable or remove the plugin where immediate updating is not possible.
- Review vendor and Wordfence guidance before relying on a specific fixed version.
- Check server file permissions and restrict unnecessary write access.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress plugin versions across production, staging, and backups.
- Review web logs for unauthenticated requests targeting /inc/root.php.
- Verify unauthenticated users cannot reach file upload or download functionality.
- Inspect web roots and plugin directories for unexpected uploaded files.
- Confirm remediation by retesting plugin version and access control behavior.
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-862: Authorization and privilege behavior lookup
Authorization weaknesses can support privilege escalation and valid-account review, depending on exploit path. 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 lookupPrivilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. 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-2018-25105 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/a56d5a2f-ae13-4523-bc4a-17bb2fb4c6f0?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=1942390%40wp-file-manager&new=1942390%40wp-file-manager&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=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.