CVE-2026-25005 in Frontend File Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in N-Media Frontend File Manager nmedia-user-file-uploader allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Frontend File Manager: from n/a through <= 23.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security controls of the N-Media Frontend File Manager nmedia-user-file-uploader plugin. The issue stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that allow unauthorized users to bypass authentication mechanisms through user-controlled key manipulation. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 23.5, creating a substantial attack surface for malicious actors who can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to file management functionalities. The root cause lies in the improper implementation of access control checks that fail to adequately validate user permissions before granting file operations access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate user-controlled keys that should normally be restricted to authenticated users with proper authorization levels. When users can influence or control keys that determine access permissions, the system's access control mechanisms become ineffective, allowing unauthorized individuals to perform file operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This flaw typically occurs when the application does not properly validate or sanitize user inputs that are used as access control identifiers, leading to a situation where any user can potentially escalate their privileges through manipulation of these controlled keys.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to bypass the intended security boundaries of the file management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this authorization bypass can perform unauthorized file operations including uploading malicious files, deleting important documents, modifying existing files, or accessing restricted directories that should only be available to administrators or authorized users. This creates significant risks for data integrity, confidentiality, and availability within the affected system. The vulnerability particularly affects websites using WordPress or similar content management systems where this plugin is installed, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or deploy malware through the compromised file upload functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper access control validation mechanisms that do not rely on user-controlled keys for authorization decisions. Security patches should ensure that all file operations are properly authenticated and that access control checks are performed server-side without relying on client-side inputs for permission validation. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed, and implement additional security controls such as input sanitization, proper access control enforcement, and regular security audits of plugin configurations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization issues, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting through web applications. Regular monitoring of file system changes and implementing network segmentation can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.