CVE-2025-53260 is a critical vulnerability identified in the getredhawkstudio File Manager Plugin for WordPress, classified under CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type. This vulnerability allows an attacker with high privileges (PR:H) to upload files of dangerous types, such as web shells, without proper validation or restriction. The plugin affected is the File Manager Plugin for WordPress, up to version 7.5, with no specific lower bound version identified. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to upload malicious files directly to the web server, potentially leading to full system compromise. The CVSS v3.1 score is 9.1, indicating a critical severity with network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no user interaction (UI:N), and a scope change (S:C) that affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploitation does not require user interaction but does require high privileges, meaning the attacker must already have some level of authenticated access to the WordPress environment. Once exploited, the attacker can execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access through web shells. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because file upload functionality is commonly used in content management systems, and improper validation can lead to severe security breaches. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with the affected File Manager Plugin installed. The ability to upload web shells can lead to unauthorized access, data theft, defacement, ransomware deployment, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European businesses, including e-commerce, government portals, and media outlets, the impact could be extensive. Confidentiality breaches could expose sensitive customer or citizen data, violating GDPR regulations and resulting in legal and financial penalties. Integrity and availability impacts could disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and cause financial losses. The requirement for high privileges to exploit the vulnerability means that attackers might first need to compromise lower-level accounts or exploit other vulnerabilities, but once achieved, the consequences are severe. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests a window of opportunity for organizations to proactively secure their systems before widespread attacks occur.

1. Immediate review and restriction of user privileges within WordPress to minimize the number of users with high-level access capable of uploading files. 2. Disable or remove the getredhawkstudio File Manager Plugin if it is not essential to operations. 3. If the plugin is required, monitor the vendor’s official channels for patches or updates and apply them promptly once available. 4. Implement strict file upload validation controls at the web server and application level, including MIME type checks, file extension whitelisting, and content inspection to block dangerous file types such as PHP or other executable scripts. 5. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious file upload attempts or web shell signatures. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on file upload functionalities. 7. Monitor logs for unusual file upload activity or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 8. Harden the WordPress environment by disabling unnecessary plugins and features, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and applying the principle of least privilege. 9. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing web shell detection and removal to minimize dwell time if compromise occurs.