CVE-2025-32118: CMP Coming Soon File Upload Vulnerability

CVE-2025-32118 Overview

CVE-2025-32118 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability affecting the NiteoThemes CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance WordPress plugin. This vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious files to vulnerable WordPress installations, potentially leading to remote code execution (RCE). The flaw exists due to insufficient file type validation in the plugin's upload functionality.

Critical Impact

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to upload and execute arbitrary malicious files on WordPress servers running affected versions of the CMP plugin, potentially resulting in complete site compromise.

Affected Products

• NiteoThemes CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin versions through 4.1.14
• WordPress installations using vulnerable plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• April 4, 2025 - CVE-2025-32118 published to NVD
• April 1, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-32118

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type), which occurs when a web application allows users to upload files without properly validating the file type, content, or extension. In the context of the CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin, the file upload functionality fails to adequately restrict dangerous file types, enabling attackers to upload executable scripts such as PHP files.

WordPress plugins that handle file uploads must implement robust validation mechanisms including checking file extensions, MIME types, and file content signatures. When these controls are absent or improperly implemented, attackers can bypass restrictions and upload web shells or other malicious payloads.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-32118 is the lack of proper file type validation in the upload handling mechanism of the CMP plugin. The plugin does not adequately verify that uploaded files match expected safe file types, nor does it sanitize filenames or check file contents to ensure they do not contain executable code. This allows PHP files or other server-side scripts to be uploaded and subsequently executed.

Attack Vector

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by uploading a malicious file through the plugin's vulnerable upload endpoint. Once the file is uploaded to the WordPress server, the attacker can access the uploaded file via a direct URL, triggering execution of the malicious code. This attack typically follows these steps:

1. The attacker identifies a WordPress site running a vulnerable version of CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin (<= 4.1.14)
2. The attacker crafts a malicious PHP file containing a web shell or reverse shell payload
3. The attacker uploads the malicious file through the plugin's vulnerable upload functionality
4. The attacker navigates to the uploaded file's location on the server
5. The malicious code executes, granting the attacker remote access to the server

For detailed technical analysis, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-32118

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected PHP files or script files in WordPress upload directories, particularly within plugin folders
• Unusual HTTP requests to non-standard file paths within the CMP plugin directory
• Web server logs showing POST requests to plugin upload endpoints followed by GET requests to newly created files
• Presence of web shell signatures or obfuscated PHP code in uploaded files
• Unexpected outbound network connections from the web server

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress upload directories for creation of executable file types (.php, .phtml, .php5, etc.)
• Implement file integrity monitoring on plugin directories to detect unauthorized file additions
• Review web server access logs for suspicious patterns targeting the CMP plugin's upload functionality
• Use web application firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block file upload attacks
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions like SentinelOne to identify malicious file execution

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all file upload activities within WordPress
• Configure alerts for any new executable files created in web-accessible directories
• Monitor for PHP process spawning unexpected child processes (indicators of web shell activity)
• Set up automated scanning of uploaded files using antimalware solutions
• Track changes to the wp-content/plugins/cmp-coming-soon-maintenance/ directory

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32118

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit WordPress upload directories for any suspicious or unexpected files
• If the plugin cannot be updated, consider temporarily disabling it until a patch is available
• Review web server logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Implement additional file upload restrictions at the web server level (e.g., disable PHP execution in upload directories)

Patch Information

Organizations using the NiteoThemes CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin should update to a version newer than 4.1.14 that addresses this vulnerability. Check the WordPress plugin repository or the vendor's official channels for the latest security update. The Patchstack Vulnerability Report provides additional details on affected versions.

Workarounds

• Disable the CMP – Coming Soon & Maintenance plugin if it is not essential for operations
• Implement web server configuration to prevent PHP execution in upload directories
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with rules to block malicious file uploads
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin functionality to trusted IP addresses only

# Apache configuration to disable PHP execution in uploads directory
# Add to .htaccess in the WordPress uploads folder
<FilesMatch "\.php$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Alternative: Disable PHP execution via Apache config
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/uploads">
    php_flag engine off
</Directory>