CVE-2025-5394 is a critical security vulnerability affecting the Alone – Charity Multipurpose Non-profit WordPress Theme developed by Bearsthemes. The vulnerability arises from a missing authorization check in the function alone_import_pack_install_plugin(), which is responsible for installing plugins via uploaded zip files. Due to the lack of capability verification, unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw to upload arbitrary zip files containing malicious webshells disguised as plugins. This leads to remote code execution (RCE) on the affected WordPress site without requiring any authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability affects all versions of the theme up to and including version 7.8.3. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.8, indicating a critical severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been observed in the wild yet, the ease of exploitation and the potential for full system compromise make this a highly dangerous vulnerability. The root cause is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), highlighting the failure to enforce proper access control before allowing plugin installation. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because WordPress themes are widely used and often trusted components, and the ability to upload and execute arbitrary code remotely can lead to complete site takeover, data breaches, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for non-profit and charity organizations that rely on the Alone WordPress theme or similar vulnerable themes. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized access and control over web servers, resulting in data theft, defacement, disruption of services, and potential lateral movement within the network. Given the criticality of the vulnerability and the fact that it requires no authentication, attackers can easily compromise vulnerable sites remotely. This can damage the reputation of affected organizations, lead to loss of donor trust, and cause regulatory compliance issues under GDPR due to potential exposure of personal data. Additionally, compromised servers can be used to distribute malware or launch attacks against other targets, amplifying the threat landscape. The availability of a critical RCE vulnerability in a widely used CMS theme increases the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts, making timely mitigation essential for European entities.

1. Immediate update or patching: Organizations should check for updates from Bearsthemes and apply any patches or newer theme versions that address this vulnerability. Since no official patch links are currently available, monitoring vendor communications is critical. 2. Temporary disable plugin installation features: If patching is not immediately possible, disable or restrict access to the alone_import_pack_install_plugin() function or related plugin installation features via custom code or security plugins to prevent exploitation. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules: Deploy WAF rules to detect and block suspicious zip file uploads or unauthorized plugin installation attempts targeting this function. 4. Harden WordPress permissions: Restrict file upload capabilities and plugin installation permissions to trusted administrators only, and enforce strong authentication mechanisms. 5. Monitor logs and network traffic: Actively monitor web server logs for unusual upload activity or execution of unknown scripts, and scan for webshells. 6. Conduct security audits: Regularly audit WordPress installations for unauthorized files or modifications, especially in the plugins directory. 7. Educate site administrators: Raise awareness about the risks of using outdated themes and the importance of timely updates and secure configurations. These measures, combined, will reduce the attack surface and help prevent exploitation until a formal patch is released.