CVE-2025-15700 in AWP Classifieds Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2026
The AWP Classifieds WordPress plugin before 4.4.9 does not validate the type of files extracted from an uploaded ZIP archive during its listing-import feature, allowing users with the AWP Classifieds WordPress plugin before 4.4.9's management capability to upload arbitrary PHP files to a publicly accessible, network-shared directory and achieve remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in versions of the AWP Classifieds WordPress plugin prior to version 4.4.9 represents a critical security flaw rooted in improper input validation during file handling operations. Specifically, the defect resides within the listing-import feature, which is designed to facilitate the bulk upload and processing of classified advertisements via ZIP archives. When an administrator or user with management capabilities initiates this import process, the plugin extracts files from the provided archive without adequately verifying the MIME type or extension of each individual file contained therein. This lack of rigorous validation allows attackers to bypass standard security controls by packaging malicious PHP scripts within a seemingly benign ZIP file. The system proceeds to extract these files and places them into a directory that is publicly accessible over the network, effectively creating an unintended web-accessible entry point for arbitrary code execution.
From a technical perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-434, which describes the unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types, as well as CWE-20, indicating improper input validation. The absence of strict type checking means that the application trusts the content or structure of the uploaded archive without performing sufficient sanitization. In a typical WordPress environment, uploads are often directed to specific media directories where execution is disabled via server configuration such as .htaccess rules in Apache or equivalent configurations in Nginx. However, because this vulnerability targets a network-shared directory that remains publicly accessible and potentially lacks these protective web server directives, the extracted PHP files become directly executable by remote attackers. This scenario exemplifies CWE-94, which covers code injection vulnerabilities where user-controlled data is interpreted as code by the application or underlying system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) with the privileges of the web server process. An authenticated attacker possessing management capabilities within the WordPress installation can exploit this flaw to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code on the target host. This capability effectively grants the attacker full control over the compromised system, enabling them to read sensitive data such as database credentials, user information, and proprietary business content stored in the directory structure. Furthermore, the attacker can use the foothold gained through RCE to pivot into other parts of the internal network, install backdoors for persistent access, or deploy ransomware. This aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1505.003, which involves Web Shell: ASPX, and more broadly T1505, Server Software Component, as it exploits a legitimate component to maintain persistence and execute commands remotely.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security hygiene practices. The primary remediation is to upgrade the AWP Classifieds plugin to version 4.4.9 or later, where this validation logic has been corrected to enforce strict file type restrictions during extraction. Administrators should also implement defense-in-depth measures by ensuring that all upload directories are configured with execute permissions disabled at the web server level, regardless of application-level controls. Additionally, deploying a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block attempts to exploit known vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins by filtering out malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable code path. Regular auditing of plugin sources for similar input validation flaws is also recommended to maintain a robust security posture against evolving attack vectors targeting content management systems.