CVE-2025-2006 in Inline Image Upload for BBPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2025
The Inline Image Upload for BBPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the file uploading functionality in all versions up to, and including, 1.1.19. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible. This may be exploitable by unauthenticated attackers when the "Allow guest users without accounts to create topics and replies" setting is enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2006 affects the Inline Image Upload for BBPress plugin version 1.1.19 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk within WordPress environments. This flaw resides in the plugin's file upload mechanism where insufficient validation allows malicious actors to bypass intended security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the absence of proper file type verification during the upload process, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by threat actors with varying levels of access privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate file extensions and content types during the upload process. This missing validation creates a path for attackers to upload files with potentially malicious extensions such as php, aspx, or other server-side script files. The flaw operates at the core of the plugin's file handling logic where it accepts uploaded files without sufficient sanitization measures. According to CWE-434, this represents a weakness where web applications accept files without proper validation of their type and content, making it susceptible to arbitrary file upload attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file placement, as it can potentially enable remote code execution on affected servers. When authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges or higher upload malicious files, they can execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete compromise of the WordPress installation. The threat landscape becomes even more concerning when considering that unauthenticated attackers may exploit this vulnerability through guest user functionality, expanding the potential attack surface significantly.
The attack vector for this vulnerability demonstrates how the security model can be circumvented through legitimate user functionality. The plugin's design allows for guest users to create topics and replies when the relevant setting is enabled, providing an additional entry point for malicious actors. This configuration creates a scenario where even users without formal accounts can potentially exploit the vulnerability, making the attack surface broader than typical authenticated exploits. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 for web shell deployment and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to the latest version where the vulnerability has been addressed, disabling the problematic functionality if immediate updates are not feasible, and implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload patterns, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only necessary users have the ability to upload files. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of all WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities and ensure proper file validation mechanisms are in place across the entire system infrastructure.