CVE-2025-5061 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) affecting the WP Import Export Lite plugin for WordPress. The root cause is the lack of proper file type validation in the 'wpie_parse_upload_data' function, allowing authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher, and permissions granted by an Administrator, to upload arbitrary files to the server hosting the WordPress site. This can potentially lead to remote code execution (RCE) if malicious files such as web shells are uploaded and executed. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.9.29, with a partial patch applied in version 3.9.29, indicating that the fix may not be complete or fully effective. The attack vector is network-based, requiring authentication with low privileges, no user interaction, and has a high attack complexity, meaning exploitation is possible but requires specific conditions or knowledge. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability by allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data breaches, site defacement, or denial of service. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used WordPress plugin makes it a significant risk. The CVSS v3.1 score of 7.5 reflects the high severity due to the potential for remote code execution and the broad impact on affected systems.

For European organizations using WordPress with the WP Import Export Lite plugin, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. Attackers with low-level authenticated access could upload malicious files, leading to remote code execution, data theft, site defacement, or disruption of services. This could affect confidentiality of sensitive data, integrity of website content, and availability of web services. Organizations with multi-user WordPress environments, such as content management teams or customer portals, are particularly vulnerable if lower-privileged users can be compromised or act maliciously. The impact extends to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR breaches due to data exposure), and potential financial losses from downtime or remediation costs. Since WordPress powers a large portion of European websites, including SMEs and large enterprises, the threat surface is substantial. The partial patch status means some risk remains even after updating to version 3.9.29, necessitating additional protective measures.

1. Immediately upgrade the WP Import Export Lite plugin to the latest version once a complete patch is released beyond 3.9.29. 2. Until a full fix is available, restrict plugin usage to trusted administrators only and disable it if not essential. 3. Implement strict user role management to minimize the number of users with upload permissions or plugin access. 4. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious file uploads or suspicious activity related to the plugin. 5. Monitor server and WordPress logs for unusual file upload patterns or execution of unexpected scripts. 6. Harden the WordPress environment by disabling PHP execution in upload directories where possible. 7. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on plugins and file upload functionalities. 8. Educate administrators and users about the risks of arbitrary file uploads and enforce strong authentication and authorization policies. 9. Use file integrity monitoring tools to detect unauthorized changes or uploads on the server. 10. Consider isolating WordPress instances or using containerization to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation.