CVE-2025-69377: WP User Extra Fields Path Traversal Flaw

CVE-2025-69377 Overview

CVE-2025-69377 is a Path Traversal vulnerability affecting the WordPress User Extra Fields plugin (wp-user-extra-fields) developed by vanquish. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with low-level privileges to traverse directory paths and potentially delete arbitrary files on the server. The flaw exists due to improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths and access or delete files outside the intended directory scope.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can exploit this path traversal vulnerability to delete arbitrary files on the WordPress server, potentially leading to denial of service by removing critical system or application files.

Affected Products

• WordPress User Extra Fields plugin versions up to and including 17.0
• WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of wp-user-extra-fields
• Web servers hosting WordPress sites with the affected plugin installed

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-69377 published to NVD
• 2026-02-25 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69377

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The flaw resides in the User Extra Fields plugin's file handling mechanism, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input used in file path construction.

When a user submits file-related requests to the plugin, the application constructs file paths without adequately validating or sanitizing directory traversal sequences such as ../ patterns. This allows an authenticated attacker with minimal privileges to manipulate the file path parameter to escape the intended directory and reference arbitrary files on the file system.

The attack requires network access and low-privilege authentication to the WordPress site. Once exploited, an attacker can delete files anywhere on the server where the web server process has write permissions, potentially causing significant disruption to site operations.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient input validation in the plugin's file handling functionality. The application fails to:

1. Sanitize directory traversal sequences (../, ..\, etc.) from user-supplied file path parameters
2. Implement proper path canonicalization to resolve and validate the final file path
3. Restrict file operations to a designated safe directory using allowlist-based path validation
4. Validate that the resolved path remains within the expected directory boundaries

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based, requiring authenticated access to the WordPress installation. An attacker with low-level user privileges can craft malicious requests containing path traversal sequences to target files outside the plugin's intended directory scope.

The exploitation flow involves sending specially crafted requests to the plugin's file handling endpoints with manipulated path parameters. By including traversal sequences, the attacker can direct file operations (specifically deletion) to arbitrary locations on the server.

For example, an attacker might target critical WordPress configuration files, plugin files, or even system files if the web server process has sufficient permissions. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary file deletion, which can lead to denial of service conditions or facilitate further attacks by removing security controls.

See the Patchstack Vulnerability Analysis for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69377

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected file deletions or missing files in WordPress core, plugin, or theme directories
• Web server access logs showing requests with path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/) targeting the User Extra Fields plugin endpoints
• Error logs indicating file not found errors for files that should exist
• Modified file system timestamps or permission changes in critical directories

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal sequences in HTTP requests
• Monitor WordPress plugin request endpoints for suspicious patterns including encoded traversal sequences
• Deploy file integrity monitoring (FIM) solutions to detect unauthorized file deletions or modifications
• Review web server access logs for requests containing ../ or URL-encoded variants targeting wp-user-extra-fields endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress installation and web server
• Configure alerting for file deletion events in critical WordPress directories
• Implement real-time monitoring for path traversal attack patterns in incoming requests
• Regularly audit installed plugin versions against known vulnerability databases

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69377

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the User Extra Fields plugin to a patched version beyond 17.0 as soon as one becomes available
• Temporarily disable or remove the wp-user-extra-fields plugin if it is not essential for site operations
• Implement WAF rules to block path traversal sequences targeting WordPress plugin endpoints
• Review recent server activity for signs of exploitation and perform file integrity verification
• Ensure proper file system permissions to limit the impact of potential file deletion attacks

Patch Information

Affected organizations should monitor the official WordPress plugin repository and the vendor's release channels for a security update addressing this vulnerability. The Patchstack Vulnerability Analysis provides tracking information for this vulnerability. Update to a version higher than 17.0 when the patched release becomes available.

Workarounds

• Disable the User Extra Fields plugin until an official patch is released
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter requests containing path traversal patterns (../, ..%2f, %2e%2e/)
• Restrict file system permissions for the web server user to minimize the impact of arbitrary file deletion
• Use WordPress security plugins that provide additional input validation and attack detection capabilities
• Regularly back up critical files to enable quick recovery in case of file deletion attacks

# Example: Restrict plugin access using .htaccess (Apache)
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess or plugin directory
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
    RewriteEngine On
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\./) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (%2e%2e%2f) [NC,OR]
    RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (\.\.%2f) [NC]
    RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>