CVE-2025-10176 is a high-severity vulnerability classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal) affecting The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver WordPress plugin developed by tvcnet. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to and including 2.0.4 of the plugin. It stems from insufficient validation of file paths in the prepare_items function, which allows an authenticated attacker with Administrator-level privileges or higher to delete arbitrary files on the server hosting the WordPress site. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker can specify file paths outside the intended directory scope, leading to deletion of critical files such as wp-config.php. The removal of such essential files can disrupt the availability and integrity of the WordPress installation and may facilitate remote code execution (RCE) if the attacker deletes files that trigger fallback behaviors or enable code injection. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.2, indicating a high severity level, with attack vector being network-based, low attack complexity, requiring high privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the potential for severe damage exists due to the ability to delete arbitrary files remotely by an authenticated administrator. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate administrative access, which may be obtained via credential compromise or insider threat, to escalate impact beyond normal administrative capabilities.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to WordPress-based websites and services that utilize The Hack Repair Guy's Plugin Archiver plugin. The ability to delete arbitrary files can lead to website downtime, loss of critical configuration data, and potential full compromise through remote code execution. This can disrupt business operations, damage brand reputation, and lead to data breaches involving personal or sensitive customer data, potentially violating GDPR and other data protection regulations. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, government, and education that rely heavily on WordPress for content management are particularly vulnerable. The attack requires administrative access, so the impact is amplified if credential management or access controls are weak. Additionally, the deletion of wp-config.php or similar files can cause prolonged outages and costly recovery efforts. The threat also raises concerns for managed service providers and hosting companies in Europe that offer WordPress hosting, as a single compromised client site could be leveraged to affect broader infrastructure or customer trust.

1. Immediate upgrade or patching: Although no official patch links are provided, organizations should monitor the vendor’s announcements and apply updates beyond version 2.0.4 once available. If no patch exists, consider disabling or uninstalling the plugin until a fix is released. 2. Restrict administrative access: Enforce strict access controls and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress administrators to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 3. File system permissions: Harden server file permissions to prevent the WordPress process from deleting critical files outside its intended directories. Use least privilege principles for the web server user. 4. Web application firewall (WAF): Deploy WAF rules to detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns or unauthorized file deletion attempts targeting the plugin’s endpoints. 5. Monitoring and logging: Implement detailed logging of administrative actions and file system changes, and monitor for unusual deletion activities. 6. Backup and recovery: Maintain frequent, tested backups of WordPress files and databases to enable rapid restoration in case of file deletion or site compromise. 7. Plugin alternatives: Evaluate alternative plugins with better security track records if immediate patching is not feasible. 8. Security audits: Conduct regular security assessments of WordPress installations and plugins to identify and remediate vulnerabilities proactively.