The vulnerability CVE-2025-13065 affects the Starter Templates plugin for WordPress, developed by Brainstormforce, which is widely used to provide AI-powered templates for Elementor and Gutenberg editors. The issue arises from improper validation of uploaded WXR files, which are XML-based WordPress export files. The plugin fails to correctly detect and block files with double extensions that appear as valid WXR files but actually contain malicious payloads. Authenticated users with author-level or higher privileges can exploit this flaw to upload arbitrary files to the web server. Because the plugin does not sufficiently sanitize the file type, attackers can upload executable scripts disguised as WXR files. This can lead to remote code execution (RCE), allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to full site compromise, data theft, or defacement. The vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction beyond the upload action. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the ease of exploitation (network attack vector, low attack complexity), the requirement for privileges (PR:L), and the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the widespread use of this plugin and the severity of the vulnerability make it a critical risk. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure increases urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Starter Templates plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized server access, data breaches involving sensitive customer or business information, website defacement, or use of compromised servers for further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Given the high adoption of WordPress in Europe, including government, educational, and commercial sectors, the potential impact includes reputational damage, regulatory penalties under GDPR for data breaches, and operational disruptions. The ability to execute remote code without user interaction means attackers can automate exploitation at scale. Organizations with multi-author WordPress environments are particularly vulnerable due to the requirement for author-level access. The threat also extends to hosting providers and managed service providers supporting WordPress clients, increasing the potential attack surface.

1. Immediately restrict upload permissions to trusted users only, preferably limiting author-level access where possible. 2. Implement strict server-side validation of uploaded files beyond client-side checks, ensuring only legitimate WXR files are accepted and blocking files with suspicious double extensions or executable content. 3. Monitor web server logs and WordPress upload directories for unusual file types or unexpected uploads. 4. Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block arbitrary file uploads and known attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins. 5. Regularly update the Starter Templates plugin as soon as a patch is released by Brainstormforce. 6. Employ principle of least privilege for WordPress user roles, minimizing the number of users with author or higher privileges. 7. Conduct periodic security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins and file upload functionalities. 8. Consider isolating WordPress instances or using containerization to limit the impact of potential compromises. 9. Backup website data and configurations regularly to enable quick recovery in case of exploitation.