CVE-2025-58255: Custom Post Type Images CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-58255 Overview

CVE-2025-58255 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the Custom Post Type Images WordPress plugin developed by yonisink. This critical security flaw allows attackers to perform Code Injection attacks by exploiting the lack of proper CSRF protections within the plugin. An attacker can craft a malicious request that, when executed by an authenticated WordPress administrator, injects arbitrary code into the WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables attackers to leverage CSRF to inject malicious code into WordPress sites, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor access.

Affected Products

• Custom Post Type Images plugin versions from n/a through 0.5
• WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of Custom Post Type Images
• All WordPress sites with the Custom Post Type Images plugin version 0.5 or earlier installed

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-58255 published to NVD
• 2025-09-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-58255

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability combines two dangerous attack vectors: Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) and Code Injection. The Custom Post Type Images plugin fails to implement proper CSRF token validation on critical administrative functions, allowing attackers to trick authenticated administrators into executing unintended actions. When combined with the code injection capability, this creates a severe attack chain where an attacker can inject arbitrary code into the WordPress installation simply by having an administrator visit a malicious webpage or click a crafted link.

The attack requires user interaction, specifically requiring an authenticated administrator to be tricked into executing the forged request. However, once executed, the injected code can run with full administrative privileges, enabling complete site takeover.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of CSRF token validation (nonce verification) in the Custom Post Type Images plugin. WordPress provides built-in functions like wp_verify_nonce() and check_admin_referer() to protect against CSRF attacks, but the plugin fails to implement these security measures on vulnerable endpoints. This oversight, combined with insufficient input sanitization, allows injected code to be processed and executed within the WordPress context.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based and follows a multi-stage process. First, an attacker crafts a malicious HTML page or email containing a hidden form that targets the vulnerable plugin endpoint. When an authenticated WordPress administrator visits this page, the browser automatically submits the forged request with the administrator's session cookies. Since the plugin lacks CSRF validation, it processes the request as legitimate, executing the injected code payload.

The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the browser and the WordPress site. Malicious payloads could include JavaScript for persistent cross-site scripting, PHP code for backdoor installation, or commands that modify site content and user accounts.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58255

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected modifications to custom post type image settings or configurations
• Presence of unfamiliar PHP files or suspicious code in WordPress directories
• Unauthorized changes to user permissions or new administrator accounts
• Unusual outbound network connections from the WordPress server
• Web server access logs showing POST requests to plugin endpoints from external referrers

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress admin activity logs for configuration changes made without corresponding admin panel navigation
• Implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress core files and plugin directories
• Review web application firewall (WAF) logs for suspicious POST requests targeting the Custom Post Type Images plugin
• Scan for newly created or modified PHP files with suspicious content patterns

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable WordPress security audit logging to track all administrative actions
• Configure web server logs to capture full referrer information on POST requests
• Set up alerting for new administrator account creation or privilege escalation events
• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for post-exploitation activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58255

Immediate Actions Required

• Deactivate and remove the Custom Post Type Images plugin immediately if version 0.5 or earlier is installed
• Review WordPress user accounts for any unauthorized administrator accounts
• Scan WordPress installation for malicious code or unauthorized file modifications
• Check site content and configurations for unauthorized changes
• Reset administrator passwords and invalidate active sessions

Patch Information

As of the published date, no patched version has been identified in the available vulnerability data. Site administrators should check the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the latest patch status and updates from the plugin developer. Until a security patch is released, the plugin should be disabled.

Workarounds

• Remove the Custom Post Type Images plugin entirely until a patched version is available
• Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with CSRF protection rules to filter malicious requests
• Restrict WordPress admin panel access to trusted IP addresses using .htaccess or server-level firewall rules
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide additional CSRF protection layers
• Educate administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links while logged into WordPress

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate custom-post-types-image --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Check for unauthorized admin users
wp user list --role=administrator --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

# Verify file integrity of WordPress installation
wp core verify-checksums --path=/var/www/html/wordpress