Avatar <= 0.1.4 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Willkürliches Löschen von Dateien

The primary impact of CVE-2025-3520 is the ability for an authenticated attacker to delete arbitrary files on a WordPress server. While the vulnerability requires authentication, the low privilege level (Subscriber) needed to exploit it significantly broadens the attack surface. The most critical scenario involves deleting the wp-config.php file, which contains sensitive database credentials and configuration settings. Deletion of this file would effectively disable the WordPress site and potentially allow an attacker to gain control of the database. Successful exploitation could also lead to the deletion of other critical system files, causing instability or complete system compromise. This vulnerability shares similarities with other file deletion vulnerabilities where the absence of proper file path validation allows for unauthorized access and modification.

WordPress websites utilizing the Avatar plugin, particularly those with Subscriber-level users who have access to file management functionalities, are at risk. Shared hosting environments where users have limited control over server file permissions are especially vulnerable. Websites with outdated WordPress installations or those that haven't implemented robust security practices are also at increased risk.

• wordpress / plugin:

wp plugin list | grep Avatar

• wordpress / plugin: Check the Avatar plugin version using wp plugin list and verify it is below the patched version. • wordpress / server: Monitor WordPress error logs for any file deletion attempts or errors related to file access. • wordpress / server: Review user roles and permissions to ensure that Subscriber-level users do not have excessive file access privileges. • generic web: Monitor access logs for unusual file requests or deletions targeting WordPress plugin directories.

1. 2025-04-18Disclosure

   disclosure

1. Reserviert2025-04-11
2. Veröffentlicht2025-04-18
3. Geändert2026-04-08
4. EPSS aktualisiert2026-03-23

The immediate mitigation for CVE-2025-3520 is to upgrade the Avatar plugin to a patched version as soon as it becomes available. Until a patch is released, consider disabling the plugin entirely to prevent exploitation. As a temporary workaround, restrict file upload permissions and implement strict file access controls on the server to limit the potential damage from unauthorized file deletion. Monitor WordPress access logs for suspicious activity, particularly attempts to access or delete files outside of expected directories. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block requests attempting to access or delete sensitive files.