CVE-2025-1510: WordPress Custom Post Type Date Archives RCE

CVE-2025-1510 Overview

The Custom Post Type Date Archives plugin for WordPress contains a critical arbitrary shortcode execution vulnerability affecting all versions up to and including 2.7.1. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input before passing it to WordPress's do_shortcode() function. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes on vulnerable WordPress installations, potentially leading to complete site compromise.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can execute arbitrary WordPress shortcodes, potentially enabling remote code execution, data exfiltration, or complete site takeover depending on installed plugins and themes.

Affected Products

• Keesiemeijer Custom Post Type Date Archives versions up to and including 2.7.1
• WordPress installations using the vulnerable plugin
• All WordPress sites with the plugin installed regardless of configuration

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-02-22 - CVE-2025-1510 published to NVD
• 2025-03-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-1510

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-94 (Code Injection), specifically manifesting as an arbitrary shortcode execution flaw. The plugin fails to properly validate user-supplied input before processing it through WordPress's do_shortcode() function, which interprets and executes shortcode tags.

WordPress shortcodes are a powerful feature that allows plugins and themes to add dynamic content. However, when user input is passed directly to do_shortcode() without sanitization, attackers can inject malicious shortcode tags. The impact varies based on the shortcodes available on the target system—from information disclosure to remote code execution if plugins with dangerous shortcode functionality are present.

The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability significantly increases its severity, as no user credentials or authentication tokens are required to exploit it.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in improper input validation within the plugin's action handlers. The software allows users to trigger an action that processes attacker-controlled values through do_shortcode() without adequate sanitization or allowlist validation. This violates the principle of defense in depth, as user input should never be directly passed to code execution functions without strict validation.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by unauthenticated attackers. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing arbitrary shortcode syntax that the plugin will execute. The attack requires no user interaction and can be automated at scale against vulnerable WordPress installations.

Exploitation typically involves sending HTTP requests to the vulnerable endpoint with payload containing shortcode tags. Depending on the installed plugins, attackers may leverage shortcodes that:

• Execute server-side code or system commands
• Read sensitive files from the server
• Modify database content
• Create administrator accounts
• Install backdoors or web shells

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-1510

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected shortcode execution in WordPress logs or error messages
• Suspicious HTTP requests containing shortcode syntax (e.g., [shortcode] patterns in POST data)
• Anomalous plugin activity or unauthorized content modifications
• Unusual user account creation or privilege escalation events

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to the Custom Post Type Date Archives plugin endpoints with suspicious payload patterns
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block shortcode injection attempts
• Review WordPress activity logs for unexpected shortcode executions
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to WordPress files

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive WordPress audit logging using security plugins
• Configure real-time alerting for suspicious patterns in access logs
• Monitor for new administrator accounts or role changes
• Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-1510

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Custom Post Type Date Archives plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the plugin until a security update is released
• Audit WordPress installations for signs of compromise
• Review and restrict installed plugins to minimize shortcode attack surface

Patch Information

Administrators should check the WordPress Plugin Page for the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Additional technical details are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Deactivate the Custom Post Type Date Archives plugin until an official patch is available
• Implement WAF rules to block requests containing shortcode patterns to the vulnerable endpoints
• Restrict access to WordPress admin areas using IP allowlisting
• Consider using a WordPress security plugin to add additional input validation layers

# Temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate custom-post-type-date-archives

# Verify plugin status
wp plugin list --status=active | grep custom-post-type