CVE-2025-69376: WP User Extra Fields Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-69376 Overview

CVE-2025-69376 is a Path Traversal vulnerability affecting the WordPress User Extra Fields plugin (wp-user-extra-fields) developed by vanquish. This security flaw allows attackers to manipulate file paths to access or delete files outside of the intended directory structure. The vulnerability stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory (CWE-22), enabling malicious actors to traverse the file system and potentially delete arbitrary files on the affected WordPress installation.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit path traversal to delete arbitrary files on the server, potentially leading to complete site compromise or denial of service through deletion of critical WordPress files.

Affected Products

• WordPress User Extra Fields plugin versions through 17.0
• WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of wp-user-extra-fields
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-69376 published to NVD
• 2026-02-26 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69376

Vulnerability Analysis

This Path Traversal vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied input when handling file paths within the User Extra Fields plugin. The plugin fails to properly sanitize path components, allowing attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as ../) to escape the intended directory restrictions. The vulnerability is accessible over the network without requiring authentication, and successful exploitation can result in arbitrary file deletion on the affected server.

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can lead to denial of service by deleting critical WordPress core files, configuration files like wp-config.php, or plugin/theme files essential for site operation.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-69376 is the lack of proper input validation and sanitization of file path parameters within the User Extra Fields plugin. The plugin fails to implement adequate checks to ensure that file operations are restricted to the intended directories. Specifically, the code does not properly canonicalize file paths or validate that the resolved path remains within the allowed directory boundaries before performing file operations.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via the network with no authentication required. An attacker can craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to target files outside the plugin's intended directory scope. The attack complexity is low, requiring no special conditions or user interaction. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidential data or allow for integrity violations of file content, it enables arbitrary file deletion which can severely impact system availability.

By targeting critical system files or WordPress core files, an attacker can effectively render a WordPress site inoperable. The changed scope indicates that the vulnerability can impact resources beyond the vulnerable component itself, potentially affecting the entire WordPress installation and underlying server.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69376

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of suspicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) in web server access logs
• Unexpected file deletions in WordPress core directories, wp-content, or other critical locations
• Missing wp-config.php or other essential WordPress configuration files
• Website functionality issues or errors indicating missing files

Detection Strategies

• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing path traversal patterns
• Configure intrusion detection systems (IDS) to alert on file system access patterns indicative of path traversal attacks
• Monitor WordPress file integrity using security plugins or external file integrity monitoring solutions
• Review web server access logs for suspicious requests targeting the wp-user-extra-fields plugin endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress User Extra Fields plugin if available
• Set up file integrity monitoring for critical WordPress directories including wp-admin, wp-includes, and wp-content
• Configure alerts for unexpected file deletions across the WordPress installation
• Monitor for unusual patterns of failed or successful file operations in server logs

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69376

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the WordPress User Extra Fields plugin to a patched version when available from the vendor
• Temporarily disable the wp-user-extra-fields plugin if no patch is available and the functionality is not critical
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal attempts targeting the vulnerable plugin
• Review recent file system changes to identify any files that may have been deleted through exploitation

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates on available patches from the plugin developer. As versions through 17.0 are confirmed vulnerable, users should update to the next available release that addresses this security issue.

Workarounds

• Disable the User Extra Fields plugin until a security patch is released
• Implement server-level access controls to restrict which files can be accessed or modified by the web server process
• Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with path traversal protection rules
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide virtual patching capabilities for known vulnerabilities

# Configuration example - WordPress .htaccess rule to block path traversal attempts
# Add to .htaccess in WordPress root directory
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} \.\./ [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} %2e%2e%2f [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} %252e%252e%252f [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>