CVE-2025-7401: WordPress Age Verification Plugin RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-7401 Overview

The Premium Age Verification / Restriction for WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file read and write operations due to an insufficiently protected remote support functionality in remote_tunnel.php. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.0.2, allowing unauthenticated attackers to read from or write to arbitrary files on the affected site's server, potentially leading to sensitive information exposure or remote code execution.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can read sensitive configuration files (including wp-config.php) or write malicious code to achieve full server compromise through remote code execution.

Affected Products

• Premium Age Verification / Restriction for WordPress plugin versions up to and including 3.0.2
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin versions
• Web servers hosting affected WordPress sites

Discovery Timeline

• July 11, 2025 - CVE-2025-7401 published to NVD
• July 15, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-7401

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from a fundamental design flaw in the plugin's remote support functionality. The remote_tunnel.php file exposes file system operations without proper authentication controls, allowing any unauthenticated user to interact with the server's file system. The lack of access controls combined with the ability to both read and write files creates a severe attack surface that can be exploited remotely without any user interaction.

The impact of this vulnerability is significant: attackers can exfiltrate sensitive data such as database credentials from wp-config.php, user data, or proprietary content. Additionally, the write capability enables attackers to inject malicious PHP code into existing files or create new backdoor files, leading to persistent remote code execution.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials) combined with insufficient protection of sensitive functionality. The remote support tunnel was likely designed for legitimate maintenance purposes but fails to implement proper authentication, authorization, or access controls. This creates an exposed endpoint that treats all requests as authorized, regardless of the requester's identity or permissions.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can directly access the remote_tunnel.php endpoint and craft requests to read arbitrary files from the server or write malicious content to files. The network-accessible nature of this vulnerability, combined with low attack complexity and no required privileges, makes it highly exploitable.

A typical attack scenario involves:

1. The attacker identifies a WordPress site running the vulnerable plugin
2. The attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the remote_tunnel.php endpoint
3. Using file read capabilities, the attacker extracts wp-config.php to obtain database credentials
4. Using file write capabilities, the attacker injects a PHP web shell into an existing file or creates a new backdoor
5. The attacker gains persistent remote code execution on the server

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

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-7401

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/premium-age-verification/remote_tunnel.php or similar paths
• Unexpected file modifications in WordPress core, plugin, or theme directories
• New PHP files with obfuscated code appearing in web-accessible directories
• Unauthorized access to wp-config.php or other sensitive configuration files
• Anomalous outbound network connections from the web server

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for requests to remote_tunnel.php from external IP addresses
• Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized modifications to WordPress files
• Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious requests to the vulnerable endpoint
• Audit web server processes for unexpected child processes or shell executions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all HTTP requests to plugin directories
• Configure alerts for any access attempts to remote_tunnel.php
• Monitor for creation of new PHP files in the WordPress installation directory
• Track file system changes in real-time using host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS)

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-7401

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately disable or uninstall the Premium Age Verification / Restriction for WordPress plugin if running version 3.0.2 or earlier
• Review web server logs for any evidence of exploitation attempts
• Perform a full file integrity check of the WordPress installation
• Reset database credentials if exposure is suspected
• Scan for web shells and backdoors in the WordPress directory structure

Patch Information

Check the Codecanyon product page for the latest plugin version and security updates. As of the last NVD update on July 15, 2025, versions up to and including 3.0.2 remain vulnerable. Organizations should verify that any updated version addresses this specific vulnerability before deployment.

Workarounds

• Remove or rename the remote_tunnel.php file to prevent access to the vulnerable endpoint
• Implement server-level access controls (e.g., .htaccess rules) to block access to the plugin's support functionality
• Use a web application firewall to block requests to the vulnerable endpoint
• Consider using alternative age verification plugins until a patched version is available

# Block access to the vulnerable endpoint via .htaccess
# Add to WordPress root .htaccess file
<FilesMatch "remote_tunnel\.php$">
    Order Allow,Deny
    Deny from all
</FilesMatch>