CVE-2025-11889: AIO Forms WordPress Plugin RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-11889 Overview

CVE-2025-11889 affects the AIO Forms – Craft Complex Forms Easily plugin for WordPress. The vulnerability stems from missing file type validation in the plugin's import functionality. Authenticated attackers with Administrator-level access or higher can upload arbitrary files to the affected server. Successful exploitation may lead to remote code execution on the underlying WordPress host.

The flaw is classified under [CWE-434] Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. All plugin versions up to and including 1.3.18 are affected.

Critical Impact
Authenticated administrators can upload arbitrary files through the import feature, enabling potential remote code execution on the WordPress server.

Affected Products

AIO Forms – Craft Complex Forms Easily plugin for WordPress
All versions up to and including 1.3.18
WordPress sites where the plugin is installed and active

Discovery Timeline

2025-10-24 - CVE-2025-11889 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-11889

Vulnerability Analysis

The AIO Forms plugin exposes an import feature designed to allow administrators to load form definitions and related assets. The handler accepts uploaded files without enforcing a strict allow-list on file extension or MIME type. As a result, attackers can submit files containing executable PHP payloads instead of the expected form export data.

Once written to a web-accessible directory, the uploaded file can be requested directly through the WordPress site. The PHP interpreter executes the payload in the context of the web server user. This converts an administrative file upload primitive into full remote code execution against the host.

Because the attack requires Administrator-level privileges, it is most relevant in scenarios involving compromised admin credentials, hostile co-administrators, or chained exploitation that first elevates an attacker to the admin role.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of file type validation in the import functionality. The plugin trusts the uploaded content and relies on the administrator role as the sole security boundary. No extension allow-list, MIME inspection, or content signature verification is performed before the file is persisted to disk.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network against the WordPress admin interface. An authenticated administrator submits a crafted import request containing a PHP file or other server-executable content. The plugin saves the file to a location accessible by the web server. The attacker then issues an HTTP request to the uploaded file, triggering execution. See the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-11889

Indicators of Compromise

New .php, .phtml, or .phar files appearing in plugin upload or import directories under wp-content/
Unexpected POST requests targeting AIO Forms import endpoints from administrator sessions
Outbound network connections initiated by the PHP-FPM or web server process to unfamiliar hosts
Modified or newly created files with timestamps that correlate with admin login activity

Detection Strategies

Monitor WordPress access logs for POST requests to AIO Forms import handlers followed by GET requests to newly created files
File integrity monitoring on wp-content/plugins/all-in-one-forms/ and adjacent upload directories
Inspect uploaded files for PHP tags, eval, base64_decode, or other webshell indicators

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable WordPress audit logging to capture administrator actions, including plugin import operations
Alert on creation of executable file types within any wp-content subdirectory
Review administrator account activity for logins from unusual IP addresses or geolocations

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-11889

Immediate Actions Required

Update the AIO Forms plugin to a version released after 1.3.18 once available from the vendor
Audit all WordPress administrator accounts and remove unused or stale privileged users
Rotate credentials for any administrator account that may have been exposed
Inspect plugin and uploads directories for unauthorized PHP files and remove any unknown artifacts

Patch Information

Review the WordPress Plugin Change Log and the All-in-One Forms Plugin Page for the latest release information and apply the fixed version through the WordPress admin dashboard.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the AIO Forms plugin until a patched version is installed
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all WordPress administrator accounts to reduce risk of admin compromise
Configure the web server to deny PHP execution within wp-content/uploads/ and plugin import directories
Place the WordPress admin interface behind an IP allow-list or a web application firewall (WAF)

bash

# Example Apache configuration to block PHP execution in uploads
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/uploads">
    <FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|phar|php[0-9])$">
        Require all denied
    </FilesMatch>
</Directory>