CVE-2025-9048 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the Wptobe-memberships plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 3.4.2. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of file paths in the del_img_ajax_call() function, which handles deletion of image files. This flaw allows an authenticated attacker with Subscriber-level privileges or higher to perform arbitrary file deletion on the server hosting the WordPress site. Because the attacker can delete critical files, such as wp-config.php, this can lead to remote code execution (RCE), enabling full compromise of the web server and potentially the underlying infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path), indicating that user-controlled input is improperly sanitized before being used in file operations. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 8.1, reflecting a network attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and resulting in high impact on integrity and availability. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat to WordPress sites using this plugin. The lack of an official patch at the time of publication further increases risk, necessitating immediate mitigation efforts by site administrators.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a critical risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their WordPress-based web assets. Many European businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits rely on WordPress for their online presence, often using membership and subscription plugins like Wptobe-memberships. An attacker exploiting this flaw could delete essential configuration files, causing service outages, data loss, or enabling remote code execution to deploy malware or ransomware. This could lead to reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations if personal data is compromised), and financial losses. The ability to exploit the vulnerability with only Subscriber-level access lowers the barrier for attackers, increasing the threat surface. Additionally, the potential for RCE could allow lateral movement within organizational networks, escalating the impact beyond the web server. Given the interconnected nature of European digital infrastructure, successful exploitation could disrupt services critical to business operations and public services.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting or disabling the del_img_ajax_call() functionality if possible, especially for users with Subscriber-level access. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all file path parameters to ensure only allowed files within designated directories can be deleted. 3. Apply the principle of least privilege by reviewing and minimizing user roles and capabilities, ensuring that only trusted users have deletion rights. 4. Monitor web server logs and WordPress audit trails for unusual file deletion requests or suspicious activity originating from Subscriber accounts. 5. Maintain regular backups of WordPress files and databases to enable rapid recovery in case of file deletion or compromise. 6. Update the Wptobe-memberships plugin promptly once an official patch is released. 7. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability by filtering malicious AJAX calls targeting file deletion endpoints. 8. Conduct security awareness training for administrators and users about the risks of privilege misuse and the importance of strong authentication controls.