CVE-2025-8151 is a path traversal vulnerability identified in the HT Mega – Absolute Addons For Elementor WordPress plugin, developed by devitemsllc. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.9.1. The flaw exists in the 'save_block_css' function, which improperly restricts pathname inputs, allowing authenticated users with Author-level privileges or higher to manipulate file paths. Specifically, attackers can create or delete CSS files in arbitrary directories on a Windows server hosting the WordPress site. This occurs because the plugin does not adequately sanitize or validate the file path inputs, enabling traversal sequences (e.g., '..\') to escape the intended directory boundaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory), which typically leads to unauthorized file system access. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires low attack complexity, and privileges at the Author level, but does not impact confidentiality or availability, only integrity. No user interaction is required, and the scope remains unchanged. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of the file system on affected servers, potentially allowing attackers to modify or remove CSS files, which could be leveraged to alter website appearance or functionality, or as a stepping stone for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities or misconfigurations. The vulnerability is specific to Windows environments due to the file deletion capability described.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the HT Mega – Absolute Addons For Elementor plugin, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of CSS files on their web servers. While the direct impact on confidentiality and availability is limited, the integrity compromise could affect website presentation and user experience, potentially damaging brand reputation and customer trust. In some cases, altered CSS files might be used to inject malicious content or facilitate phishing attacks by changing site appearance. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, and public services, which rely heavily on their web presence, could face operational disruptions or reputational harm. Additionally, if attackers leverage this vulnerability in combination with other flaws, it could escalate to more severe compromises. The requirement for Author-level access means that attackers must have some level of authenticated access, which may limit exposure but still represents a significant risk if insider threats or compromised accounts exist. The Windows-specific file deletion capability increases risk for organizations hosting WordPress on Windows servers, which are common in enterprise environments across Europe.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately update the HT Mega – Absolute Addons For Elementor plugin to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, organizations should consider temporarily disabling the plugin or restricting Author-level user capabilities to trusted personnel only. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on user roles to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns in requests targeting the 'save_block_css' function or related endpoints. Conduct regular audits of CSS directories and file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes or deletions. For Windows-hosted WordPress environments, ensure that file system permissions are tightly configured to prevent web applications from modifying critical directories outside their scope. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users with elevated privileges to reduce the risk of account compromise. Finally, maintain comprehensive logging and alerting to identify suspicious activities related to file modifications.