CVE-2025-49885: WooCommerce File Upload RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-49885 Overview

CVE-2025-49885 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability (CWE-434) affecting the HaruTheme Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload (Pro) plugin for WooCommerce. This critical vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, including web shells, to vulnerable WordPress servers. The flaw stems from insufficient file type validation in the plugin's upload functionality, enabling malicious actors to gain complete control over affected websites.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to upload web shells to WordPress servers, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data theft, defacement, and use of the server for further malicious activities.

Affected Products

• HaruTheme Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload (Pro) - WooCommerce versions through 5.0.6
• WordPress installations running the affected plugin versions
• WooCommerce stores utilizing the vulnerable file upload functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-27 - CVE-2025-49885 published to NVD
• 2025-06-30 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49885

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists in the file upload handling mechanism of the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload (Pro) plugin for WooCommerce. The plugin fails to properly validate file types during the upload process, allowing attackers to bypass intended restrictions and upload executable files such as PHP web shells. Once a malicious file is uploaded to the web server, attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.

The scope change indicated in the vulnerability characteristics means that successful exploitation can impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation, underlying server, and connected databases.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-434 - Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type). The plugin does not adequately verify that uploaded files match expected safe file types, nor does it properly sanitize file extensions or check file content headers. This allows attackers to upload files with dangerous extensions (such as .php, .phtml, or .phar) that can be executed by the web server.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the vulnerable file upload endpoint. The attack flow typically involves:

1. Identifying a WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin version
2. Crafting a malicious PHP file disguised or uploaded directly as a web shell
3. Submitting the file through the plugin's upload mechanism
4. Accessing the uploaded web shell via a predictable or discovered URL path
5. Executing arbitrary commands on the server through the web shell interface

The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the WordPress installation.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49885

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of unexpected PHP files in WordPress upload directories (typically wp-content/uploads/)
• Web shell files with suspicious names or obfuscated code patterns
• Unusual outbound network connections from the web server
• Unexpected processes spawned by the web server user (www-data, apache, nginx)
• Modified WordPress core files or plugin files

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system changes in WordPress upload directories for new PHP or executable files
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block file uploads with dangerous extensions
• Review web server access logs for requests to unusual file paths within upload directories
• Deploy file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file additions
• Scan uploaded files with malware detection tools before allowing them to persist

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging on web servers to capture all file upload attempts
• Configure alerts for new PHP file creation in non-standard directories
• Monitor for command execution patterns typical of web shells (whoami, id, uname, etc.)
• Implement network traffic analysis to detect command-and-control communications
• Regularly audit plugin versions and compare against known vulnerable versions

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49885

Immediate Actions Required

• Disable the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload (Pro) - WooCommerce plugin immediately if running version 5.0.6 or earlier
• Audit WordPress upload directories for any suspicious or unexpected PHP files
• Review web server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Consider placing the WordPress site in maintenance mode until the vulnerability is addressed
• Implement temporary WAF rules to block file uploads to the affected plugin endpoints

Patch Information

Organizations should check with HaruTheme for updated versions of the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload (Pro) - WooCommerce plugin that address this vulnerability. For the latest patch information and security advisory details, refer to the Patchstack vulnerability database entry.

Workarounds

• Remove or deactivate the vulnerable plugin until a patched version is available
• Implement server-level restrictions to prevent execution of PHP files in upload directories
• Configure .htaccess or nginx rules to deny access to PHP files in upload folders
• Use a Web Application Firewall to filter malicious upload attempts
• Apply strict file type validation at the server level as an additional defense layer

# Example .htaccess configuration to prevent PHP execution in uploads directory
# Place this file in wp-content/uploads/

<FilesMatch "\.(?:php|phtml|phar|php[0-9])$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# For Apache 2.2
<FilesMatch "\.(?:php|phtml|phar|php[0-9])$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>