CVE-2025-22782: WooCommerce Price List Manager RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-22782 Overview

CVE-2025-22782 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability (CWE-434) affecting the WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce WordPress plugin developed by Web Ready Now. This vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious files, including web shells, directly to vulnerable web servers, potentially leading to complete server compromise and remote code execution.

The vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 1.0.8 of the wr-price-list-for-woocommerce plugin. Due to insufficient file type validation during the upload process, attackers can bypass security controls and deploy malicious PHP scripts that provide persistent backdoor access to the compromised WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation enables attackers to upload web shells to the server, allowing remote code execution, data theft, website defacement, and full server compromise.

Affected Products

• WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce versions from n/a through <= 1.0.8
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin version
• WooCommerce sites utilizing the WR Price List Manager plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-15 - CVE-2025-22782 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-22782

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from a fundamental failure to properly validate file types during upload operations within the WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce plugin. The plugin does not adequately restrict the types of files that can be uploaded through its functionality, allowing attackers to upload files with dangerous extensions such as .php.

When a web shell is successfully uploaded, the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the server with the privileges of the web server process. This level of access can be leveraged to exfiltrate sensitive data, install additional malware, pivot to other systems on the network, or completely take over the WordPress installation.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation in the file upload functionality. The plugin fails to implement proper server-side validation of file extensions, MIME types, and file content. Without these controls, the application cannot distinguish between legitimate file uploads and malicious executable scripts.

Common issues that lead to this type of vulnerability include:

• Relying solely on client-side validation which can be bypassed
• Checking only the file extension without verifying actual file content
• Failing to sanitize uploaded filenames
• Allowing uploads to web-accessible directories without proper restrictions
• Not implementing allowlist-based file type validation

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2025-22782 involves an attacker crafting a malicious PHP file containing web shell code and uploading it through the vulnerable plugin's file upload functionality.

The attack typically follows this sequence:

1. The attacker identifies a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce
2. The attacker crafts a PHP web shell file, potentially disguising it with a double extension or manipulating headers
3. The malicious file is uploaded through the plugin's upload mechanism
4. The uploaded file is stored in a web-accessible directory
5. The attacker accesses the uploaded web shell via direct URL
6. Remote code execution is achieved, granting the attacker control over the server

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-22782

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected PHP files in WordPress upload directories, particularly within /wp-content/uploads/ or plugin-specific directories
• Files with suspicious names such as shell.php, c99.php, r57.php, or randomly generated filenames with .php extension
• Web server logs showing POST requests to upload endpoints followed by GET requests to newly created PHP files
• Unusual outbound network connections from the web server process
• Server resource anomalies indicating cryptomining or other malicious activity

Detection Strategies

• Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) to detect unauthorized file creation in WordPress directories
• Configure web application firewalls (WAF) to detect and block web shell signatures in file uploads
• Monitor HTTP traffic for suspicious POST requests containing PHP code patterns in file uploads
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify malicious process execution originating from the web server
• Regularly scan WordPress installations for known web shell signatures using security plugins

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable comprehensive logging for all file upload operations and review logs for anomalous patterns
• Set up alerts for new PHP file creation in upload directories and plugin folders
• Monitor for unusual process spawning by the web server user (e.g., www-data, apache, nginx)
• Implement real-time scanning of uploaded files before they are written to disk
• Track network connections originating from the web server to identify potential command and control activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-22782

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately deactivate and remove the WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce plugin if running version 1.0.8 or earlier
• Conduct a thorough scan of the WordPress installation for existing web shells or malicious files
• Review web server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Audit user accounts and permissions for any unauthorized changes
• Change all administrative credentials including WordPress admin passwords and database credentials if compromise is suspected

Patch Information

As of the publication date, organizations should check the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Advisory for the latest patch status and updated version information. Until a patch is available, the recommended course of action is to disable the vulnerable plugin entirely.

Workarounds

• Disable or remove the WR Price List Manager For WooCommerce plugin until a patched version is released
• Implement strict file upload validation at the web server level using .htaccess rules or nginx configuration
• Configure the web server to prevent PHP execution in upload directories
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block malicious file uploads
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin area by IP address if feasible

# Disable PHP execution in WordPress uploads directory via .htaccess
# Add to /wp-content/uploads/.htaccess
<FilesMatch "\.php$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>

# Alternative: Disable all script execution
<Directory /var/www/html/wp-content/uploads>
    php_admin_flag engine off
</Directory>