CVE-2025-2004: Simple WP Events Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-2004 Overview

The Simple WP Events plugin for WordPress contains a critical arbitrary file deletion vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to delete files on the server. The vulnerability exists in the wpe_delete_file AJAX action due to insufficient file path validation. This flaw can lead to remote code execution when critical WordPress configuration files such as wp-config.php are deleted, potentially allowing attackers to trigger WordPress reinstallation and gain administrative control.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can delete arbitrary files on the server, enabling remote code execution through deletion of critical configuration files like wp-config.php.

Affected Products

• Simple WP Events plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.8.17

Discovery Timeline

• April 8, 2025 - CVE-2025-2004 published to NVD
• April 8, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-2004

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), a category of weaknesses where an application uses external input to construct a file path without proper validation. In the context of the Simple WP Events plugin, the wpe_delete_file AJAX endpoint accepts user-controlled input to specify which file should be deleted, but fails to adequately validate or sanitize the file path before performing the deletion operation.

The attack is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, meaning any remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability simply by sending crafted AJAX requests to a vulnerable WordPress installation. When an attacker deletes the wp-config.php file, WordPress enters an unconfigured state, which can be leveraged to establish a new database connection with attacker-controlled credentials or execute arbitrary PHP code during the reinstallation process.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of proper file path validation in the wpe_delete_file AJAX action handler. The vulnerable code in the plugin's export events functionality does not verify that the requested file path is within an expected directory or that it corresponds to a legitimate plugin-generated file. Additionally, the AJAX action lacks proper authentication and authorization checks, allowing unauthenticated users to invoke the file deletion functionality.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted POST request to the WordPress AJAX endpoint (wp-admin/admin-ajax.php) with the action parameter set to wpe_delete_file and a malicious file path targeting critical WordPress files.

The vulnerable code can be examined in the WordPress Plugin Trac repository. The file deletion logic does not implement directory traversal protection or restrict deletions to plugin-specific directories, allowing attackers to use path traversal sequences to target files outside the intended scope.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-2004

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=wpe_delete_file parameter
• Missing critical WordPress files such as wp-config.php, .htaccess, or core WordPress files
• WordPress site unexpectedly entering installation/setup mode
• Web server error logs showing 500 errors related to missing configuration files
• Anomalous file system activity showing deletions in WordPress root or sensitive directories

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application firewall (WAF) logs for POST requests containing wpe_delete_file action with path traversal patterns (e.g., ../, ..%2f)
• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on critical WordPress files including wp-config.php, index.php, and .htaccess
• Configure SIEM rules to alert on multiple AJAX requests from single IP addresses targeting the wpe_delete_file endpoint
• Review access logs for unauthenticated requests to admin-ajax.php containing suspicious action parameters

Monitoring Recommendations

• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity to monitor for unauthorized file deletion activity on WordPress installations
• Enable real-time file integrity monitoring for WordPress core files and configuration
• Configure alerts for any deletion attempts on wp-config.php or other critical WordPress files
• Implement behavioral analysis to detect exploitation attempts targeting WordPress AJAX endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-2004

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Simple WP Events plugin to a version newer than 1.8.17 immediately if a patched version is available
• If no patch is available, deactivate and remove the Simple WP Events plugin until a fix is released
• Review file system permissions to ensure WordPress files are protected with appropriate access controls
• Check for signs of exploitation by verifying the integrity of critical WordPress files
• Consider implementing a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule to block requests to the wpe_delete_file AJAX action

Patch Information

Site administrators should check the WordPress plugin repository for updated versions of Simple WP Events that address this vulnerability. Additional technical details and vulnerability intelligence are available from Wordfence Vulnerability Intelligence.

Workarounds

• Disable the Simple WP Events plugin until a security patch is available
• Add a custom WAF rule to block POST requests containing action=wpe_delete_file parameter
• Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php for untrusted IP addresses where feasible
• Implement file system permissions that prevent the web server user from deleting critical WordPress configuration files

# Example: Protect wp-config.php with immutable flag (Linux)
sudo chattr +i /var/www/html/wp-config.php

# Example: Block vulnerable AJAX action via .htaccess
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess file
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_METHOD} POST
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} action=wpe_delete_file [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_BODY} action=wpe_delete_file [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>