CVE-2025-1128
Remediation/Mitigation Strategy: CVE-2025-1128 - Everest Forms Arbitrary File Upload, Read, and Deletion
Vulnerability: Arbitrary File Upload, Read, and Deletion
Plugin: Everest Forms – Contact Forms, Quiz, Survey, Newsletter & Payment Form Builder for WordPress
Versions Affected: <= 3.0.9.4
Description: The Everest Forms plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file upload, read, and deletion. This vulnerability stems from a lack of proper file type and path validation within the format method of the EVF_Form_Fields_Upload class. An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this to upload, read, and delete arbitrary files on the server hosting the WordPress site.
Severity: Critical
CVSS Score: 9.8 (Critical)
Known Exploit: Yes, publicly known. This increases the risk of exploitation significantly as attackers are likely to have working exploit code.
Potential Impact:
- Remote Code Execution (RCE): Attackers can upload malicious code (e.g., PHP scripts) and execute it on the server, gaining control of the website.
- Sensitive Information Disclosure: Attackers can read sensitive files on the server, such as configuration files, database credentials, or user data.
- Site Takeover: Complete compromise of the website, allowing attackers to deface the site, steal data, or use it for malicious purposes.
- Denial of Service (DoS): Attackers can upload large files to exhaust server resources.
Remediation and Mitigation Steps:
This vulnerability is critical, and immediate action is required.
1. Immediate Action: Upgrade to a Patched Version (If Available) or Remove the Plugin
* **Check for Updates:** Immediately check for an updated version of the Everest Forms plugin in your WordPress dashboard. **If a patched version that addresses CVE-2025-1128 is available, upgrade immediately.** This is the **most important and effective step.**
* **If No Patch Exists:** If a patched version is **not** available, the best course of action is to **completely remove the Everest Forms plugin from your WordPress site**. This will eliminate the vulnerability and prevent exploitation. Deactivating the plugin is **not sufficient** as the vulnerable code will still be present.
* **Alternative Form Solutions:** Begin researching and testing alternative WordPress form plugins that are known for their security and regularly updated.
2. Post-Remediation Security Hardening (After Upgrade/Removal):
These steps should be taken to enhance your website's security, even after upgrading or removing the plugin.
* **WordPress Core Update:** Ensure your WordPress installation is running the latest version. WordPress core updates often include security patches.
* **Other Plugin and Theme Updates:** Update all other plugins and themes to their latest versions. Outdated plugins and themes can introduce other vulnerabilities.
* **Web Application Firewall (WAF):** Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to help detect and block malicious requests. Many security plugins provide WAF functionality. Configure the WAF with rules to protect against common attacks and specifically against file upload vulnerabilities.
* **File Integrity Monitoring:** Implement a file integrity monitoring solution. This will alert you to any unauthorized changes to files on your server. Popular WordPress security plugins offer this feature.
* **Regular Malware Scanning:** Schedule regular malware scans of your website to detect any malicious files that may have been uploaded.
* **Review User Permissions:** Ensure that user roles and permissions are configured appropriately. Limit administrative privileges to only those who need them.
* **Implement Strong Password Policies:** Enforce strong password policies for all user accounts.
* **Monitor Website Activity:** Monitor your website's logs for any suspicious activity, such as unusual file uploads or access attempts.
3. Incident Response (If you suspect your site has been compromised):
If you have any reason to believe that your site has been compromised before applying the remediation steps (e.g., unusual files on the server, unexpected behavior, alerts from security plugins), take the following actions:
* **Isolate the Site:** Immediately take the website offline to prevent further damage. This can involve placing a maintenance page.
* **Conduct a Full Security Audit:** Perform a thorough security audit of the entire server and website. This should include:
* Scanning for malware and backdoors.
* Analyzing server logs for suspicious activity.
* Reviewing file modifications and creation dates.
* Checking for unauthorized user accounts.
* **Restore from a Clean Backup:** If a clean backup of the website exists (created before the suspected compromise), restore the website from the backup.
* **Change All Passwords:** Change all passwords for WordPress users, database users, hosting accounts, and other related services.
* **Inform Users:** If sensitive user data may have been compromised, consider informing affected users about the potential data breach.
* **Engage Security Professionals:** For a thorough investigation and remediation, consider engaging a professional security firm specializing in WordPress security.
Conclusion:
CVE-2025-1128 poses a serious threat to websites using the Everest Forms plugin. Immediate action is required to mitigate this vulnerability by either upgrading to a patched version or removing the plugin. After remediating the vulnerability, implement security hardening measures to further protect your website. If you suspect your site has been compromised, follow the incident response steps to thoroughly investigate and clean your website. Regular security audits and monitoring are essential to maintaining a secure WordPress website.
Assigner
- Wordfence [email protected]
Date
- Published Date: 2025-02-25 07:15:18
- Updated Date: 2025-02-25 07:15:18