CVE-2025-8491 in Easy Restaurant Menu Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/13/2025
The Easy restaurant menu manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 2.0.2. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the nsc_eprm_save_menu() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload a menu file via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
The Easy restaurant menu manager plugin for WordPress presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects all versions up to and including 2025.8491. This vulnerability stems from inadequate security controls within the plugin's core functionality, specifically in the nsc_eprm_save_menu() function where nonce validation is either absent or improperly implemented. The absence of proper nonce verification creates a fundamental security gap that allows malicious actors to exploit the plugin's file upload capabilities without authentication. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be leveraged by unauthenticated attackers who manipulate administrators into executing malicious actions through social engineering techniques such as phishing emails or compromised websites. When an administrator clicks on a malicious link, the forged request can trigger the menu file upload functionality, potentially enabling attackers to upload arbitrary files to the target system.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure to implement proper request validation mechanisms within the WordPress plugin architecture. According to CWE-352, this vulnerability represents a classic cross-site request forgery weakness where the application fails to verify the authenticity of requests originating from the legitimate user. The nsc_eprm_save_menu() function lacks the essential nonce parameter validation that WordPress requires for all administrative actions. This oversight allows attackers to construct malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate administrative sessions, bypassing the normal authentication and authorization checks that should protect sensitive operations. The vulnerability operates under the principle that an attacker can exploit the trust relationship between the web application and its users, specifically targeting the administrator's session to perform unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file uploads, potentially enabling more severe consequences within the compromised WordPress environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this CSRF vulnerability could upload malicious files that might execute arbitrary code, leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects the plugin's menu management functionality, which typically involves processing and storing menu data, but the lack of validation creates an attack surface that could be expanded through additional exploitation techniques. Given that WordPress plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive system resources, this vulnerability could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the web application environment. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through simple social engineering campaigns that trick administrators into clicking malicious links.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental lack of nonce validation within the plugin's administrative functions. The most effective immediate solution involves implementing proper nonce verification within the nsc_eprm_save_menu() function, ensuring that all requests to this endpoint contain valid, time-limited nonce tokens that can only be used once. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as input validation, file type restrictions, and upload directory permissions that prevent execution of uploaded files. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which describes social engineering attacks that manipulate users into executing malicious actions. Administrators should be educated about recognizing suspicious links and implementing multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The recommended remediation includes updating to the patched version of the plugin as soon as it becomes available, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that might exist in other third-party components.