CVE-2025-24605 Overview
CVE-2025-24605 is a path traversal vulnerability in the RealMag777 WOLF WordPress plugin, also known as WOLF - WordPress Posts Bulk Editor and Products Manager Professional. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with high privileges to access files outside the intended directory by manipulating pathname inputs. All plugin versions from inception through 1.0.8.5 are affected. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory).
Critical Impact
Successful exploitation enables attackers to read, write, or delete arbitrary files on the WordPress host, leading to confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise of the underlying site.
Affected Products
- RealMag777 WOLF - WordPress Posts Bulk Editor and Products Manager Professional, versions up to and including 1.0.8.5
- WordPress installations with the WOLF bulk-editor plugin enabled
- WooCommerce sites using WOLF for product management
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-03 - CVE CVE-2025-24605 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24605
Vulnerability Analysis
The WOLF plugin fails to properly sanitize pathname inputs supplied to one of its bulk-editor handlers. An authenticated attacker can submit crafted parameters containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ to escape the plugin's intended working directory. Once outside that directory, the attacker can interact with arbitrary files on the WordPress filesystem.
Because the vulnerable functionality is exposed over the network and requires only high-privilege authentication with no user interaction, the issue is suitable for use by malicious administrators, compromised admin accounts, or attackers who chain it with a prior privilege escalation. The impact spans confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host filesystem.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or insufficient validation of file path parameters in the plugin's bulk-editing code paths. The plugin accepts user-controlled pathname strings and concatenates them into file system operations without canonicalizing the resulting path or restricting it to an allow-listed base directory. This violates the secure coding practice of constraining file access to a known root.
Attack Vector
An attacker authenticated to WordPress with sufficient privileges sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable WOLF endpoint. The request includes a file or path parameter containing traversal sequences pointing to a target file outside the plugin directory, such as wp-config.php or other sensitive WordPress configuration files. The server processes the request and performs the file operation on the attacker-chosen path.
No verified public proof-of-concept exploit is available at the time of writing. For technical details, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24605
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to WOLF plugin endpoints containing ../, ..\, or URL-encoded variants such as %2e%2e%2f in file or path parameters
- Access attempts referencing sensitive WordPress files such as wp-config.php, .htaccess, or files under /etc/ from the web process
- Unexpected file modifications or new PHP files under wp-content/uploads/ or other writable directories
- Anomalous outbound requests from the WordPress host following administrative actions in the WOLF plugin
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and WordPress access logs for requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or WOLF plugin URLs containing directory traversal patterns
- Deploy WordPress security plugins or a web application firewall with rules that flag path traversal payloads in POST and GET parameters
- Correlate authenticated admin sessions with file system changes to identify suspicious bulk-editor activity
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor integrity of core WordPress files and plugin directories using file integrity monitoring tools
- Alert on any read or write access to wp-config.php originating from PHP worker processes outside normal install or update windows
- Track creation of new administrator accounts and changes to user roles that could grant attackers the privilege level required to exploit this issue
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24605
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the WOLF plugin to a version later than 1.0.8.5 once the vendor publishes a fixed release
- Audit WordPress administrator accounts and rotate credentials for any account that may have been compromised
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/ by IP allow-list where feasible to limit exposure of authenticated endpoints
- Review web server and application logs for traversal patterns dating back to the plugin's installation
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the vulnerability affects WOLF versions through 1.0.8.5. Administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and apply vendor-supplied updates as soon as they become available.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the WOLF plugin until a patched version is installed
- Enforce the principle of least privilege so that only trusted users hold WordPress administrator roles
- Deploy a web application firewall with virtual patching rules that block path traversal sequences targeting WOLF endpoints
- Set restrictive file system permissions on wp-config.php and other sensitive files to limit the impact of arbitrary file access
# Example: tighten permissions on sensitive WordPress files
chmod 600 /var/www/html/wp-config.php
chown root:www-data /var/www/html/wp-config.php
# Example: disable the WOLF plugin via WP-CLI until patched
wp plugin deactivate bulk-editor
wp plugin delete bulk-editor
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
