CVE-2025-2257 is an OS command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-78 found in the Total Upkeep – WordPress Backup Plugin plus Restore & Migrate by BoldGrid. The vulnerability exists because the plugin uses the compression_level setting directly in a proc_open() call without proper input validation or sanitization. This allows an attacker with administrator privileges on a WordPress site to inject arbitrary commands that the underlying operating system will execute. Since proc_open() can execute shell commands, this leads to remote code execution (RCE) on the server hosting the WordPress site. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.16.10 of the plugin. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low attack complexity, and privileges at the administrator level, but no user interaction is needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as an attacker could execute commands to steal data, modify or delete files, or disrupt services. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin makes it a critical concern for website administrators and hosting providers. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.2, reflecting high severity. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on March 26, 2025, with no official patches available at the time of reporting, increasing the urgency for mitigation.

The impact of CVE-2025-2257 is significant for organizations using the affected WordPress plugin. Successful exploitation allows attackers with administrator access to execute arbitrary OS commands, potentially leading to full server compromise. This can result in data breaches, defacement of websites, unauthorized data modification or deletion, installation of backdoors or malware, and disruption of services. Since WordPress powers a large portion of the web, including many business and government sites, the vulnerability could be leveraged to target sensitive information or critical infrastructure. The requirement for administrator privileges limits exploitation to insiders or attackers who have already compromised an admin account, but such accounts are common targets for credential theft. The lack of user interaction and low attack complexity further increase the risk. Organizations relying on this plugin for backup and migration functions face risks to business continuity and data integrity. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate threat but does not diminish the potential for future attacks.

To mitigate CVE-2025-2257, organizations should immediately update the Total Upkeep plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should restrict access to the WordPress admin panel to trusted users only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised admin accounts. Additionally, monitoring and logging of administrative actions and server command executions should be enhanced to detect suspicious activity. As a temporary workaround, disabling or restricting the use of the compression_level setting in plugin configuration may reduce exposure, though this could impact plugin functionality. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block unusual command injection patterns targeting the plugin. Regular backups and incident response plans should be reviewed and tested to prepare for potential exploitation. Finally, organizations should audit all WordPress plugins for similar vulnerabilities and maintain a strict plugin update policy.