CVE-2025-7640: hiWeb Export Posts Plugin CSRF Vulnerability

CVE-2025-7640 Overview

CVE-2025-7640 affects the hiWeb Export Posts plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 0.9.0.0. The plugin fails to implement nonce validation on the tool-dashboard-history.php file, exposing site administrators to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. Unauthenticated attackers can craft malicious requests that delete arbitrary files on the server when an authenticated administrator is tricked into clicking a link. Deleting critical files such as wp-config.php can trigger WordPress reinstallation flows that lead to remote code execution. This vulnerability is classified under [CWE-22] Path Traversal.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files on the WordPress server, enabling escalation to remote code execution by removing wp-config.php or other critical files.

Affected Products

hiWeb Export Posts plugin for WordPress, all versions up to and including 0.9.0.0
WordPress installations with administrators who can be targeted via social engineering
Hosting environments where deletion of wp-config.php triggers the WordPress setup wizard

Discovery Timeline

2025-07-24 - CVE-2025-7640 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-7640

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation in the plugin's tool-dashboard-history.php file. WordPress nonces are tokens used to verify that a request originated from a legitimate user interface action rather than a forged cross-origin request. Without this validation, any browser session authenticated as a WordPress administrator can be coerced into executing privileged file deletion operations.

The file deletion functionality processes requests without verifying request authenticity. An attacker who tricks an administrator into visiting an attacker-controlled page can submit deletion requests through that administrator's session. The impact escalates because the plugin allows deletion of arbitrary file paths, including critical WordPress system files.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of a wp_verify_nonce() or check_admin_referer() call in the request handler within tool-dashboard-history.php. WordPress provides nonce primitives specifically to defend against CSRF, but the plugin's tool dashboard does not invoke them before performing destructive file operations. Combined with inadequate path validation, this allows the deletion target to be controlled by attacker-supplied parameters.

Attack Vector

The attack requires no authentication from the attacker but does require user interaction from a logged-in administrator. The attacker hosts a webpage or sends a link containing a forged request that targets the vulnerable endpoint. When the administrator visits the page, their browser automatically attaches authentication cookies, and the request executes with administrator privileges.

A practical exploitation chain begins with deletion of wp-config.php. After this file is removed, WordPress enters its initial installation state on the next request, allowing the attacker to configure the database connection to an attacker-controlled database. This grants administrator access and ultimately remote code execution through plugin upload or theme editing. Technical details and proof-of-concept analysis are available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Analysis and the WordPress Plugin Source Code.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-7640

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected absence or recent deletion timestamp on wp-config.php or other core WordPress files
Web server access logs showing requests to tool-dashboard-history.php originating from external referrers
WordPress entering the initial installation wizard unexpectedly on a previously configured site
Administrator session activity recorded immediately after clicking external links

Detection Strategies

Monitor file integrity for the WordPress root directory, especially wp-config.php, .htaccess, and plugin files
Inspect web server logs for HTTP requests to the plugin's tool dashboard endpoints with deletion parameters
Alert on administrator-initiated requests with cross-origin Referer headers targeting plugin admin pages
Audit installed plugins to identify whether hiWeb Export Posts version 0.9.0.0 or earlier is present

Monitoring Recommendations

Deploy file integrity monitoring on the WordPress installation directory with alerting on deletion events
Aggregate WordPress, web server, and PHP error logs into a centralized SIEM for correlation
Track HTTP referrer anomalies for requests targeting /wp-admin/ endpoints from external domains
Monitor for sudden installation wizard invocations or new administrator account creation

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-7640

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate and remove the hiWeb Export Posts plugin from all WordPress installations until a patched version is published
Restrict administrative access to trusted networks using IP allowlisting at the web server or firewall layer
Enforce browser session isolation for WordPress administrators and require re-authentication for sensitive actions
Back up wp-config.php and the full WordPress installation before any remediation activity

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no patched version of the hiWeb Export Posts plugin is listed beyond version 0.9.0.0. Administrators should monitor the WordPress Plugin Page for an update that introduces proper nonce validation via wp_verify_nonce() and check_admin_referer(). Until a vendor fix is released, removal of the plugin is the recommended action.

Workarounds

Remove or rename the tool-dashboard-history.php file to disable the vulnerable endpoint while retaining other plugin functionality
Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks requests to the plugin's tool dashboard lacking a valid _wpnonce parameter
Train administrators to log out of WordPress before browsing untrusted links and to use a dedicated browser profile for administrative work
Apply file system permissions that prevent the web server user from deleting wp-config.php and other critical files

bash

# Example: restrict write/delete permissions on wp-config.php
chown root:www-data /var/www/html/wp-config.php
chmod 640 /var/www/html/wp-config.php
chattr +i /var/www/html/wp-config.php