CVE-2025-1725 is a vulnerability identified in the Bit File Manager plugin for WordPress, an open-source file manager and code editor widely used to manage files within WordPress environments. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-434, which pertains to the unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types. Specifically, this flaw allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to upload SVG files containing malicious scripts. Due to insufficient input sanitization and lack of proper output escaping, these SVG files can store arbitrary web scripts that execute in the context of any user who accesses the SVG file. This results in a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack vector. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including version 6.7 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) highlights that the attack can be launched remotely over the network with low attack complexity, requires privileges (authenticated user), no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity with a scope change, but does not affect availability. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is the failure to properly validate and sanitize SVG file uploads, which are XML-based and can embed JavaScript, making them a common vector for XSS if not handled securely. This flaw enables attackers to inject persistent malicious scripts that can steal session tokens, perform actions on behalf of users, or manipulate displayed content within the WordPress admin or front-end interfaces where the SVG is rendered.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the Bit File Manager plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality and integrity of their web applications. Attackers with low-level authenticated access (Subscriber or above) can exploit this to execute persistent XSS attacks, potentially leading to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the site. This can compromise sensitive user data, damage organizational reputation, and facilitate further attacks such as phishing or malware distribution. Since WordPress powers a substantial portion of websites in Europe, including corporate, governmental, and e-commerce platforms, exploitation could disrupt business operations and erode customer trust. The scope change in the CVSS vector indicates that the vulnerability can affect resources beyond the initially compromised component, potentially impacting multiple users and site areas. Additionally, the lack of user interaction required for exploitation increases the likelihood of successful attacks once an attacker gains minimal access. Although no active exploits are reported yet, the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin's open-source nature make it a likely target for attackers to develop exploits rapidly. Organizations in Europe must be vigilant, especially those with public-facing WordPress sites that handle personal data under GDPR regulations, as exploitation could lead to regulatory penalties and legal consequences.

1. Immediate mitigation involves restricting SVG file uploads or disabling the Bit File Manager plugin if it is not essential. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for SVG files, using libraries that safely parse and cleanse SVG content to remove embedded scripts before upload acceptance. 3. Apply output encoding and escaping when rendering SVG files to prevent script execution in browsers. 4. Enforce the principle of least privilege by reviewing and limiting user roles that can upload files, ensuring that only trusted users have upload capabilities. 5. Monitor WordPress logs for unusual file upload activities and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated; once an official patch for this vulnerability is released, apply it promptly. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious SVG payloads and XSS attempts. 8. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of uploading untrusted files and the importance of secure file handling practices. 9. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on file upload functionalities to identify and remediate similar issues proactively.