📄 Description (English)
WordPress File Manager Plugin Remote Code Execution Vulnerability — WordPress File Manager plugin contains a remote code execution vulnerability that allows unauthenticated users to execute PHP code and upload malicious files on a target site.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2020-25213 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in the WordPress File Manager plugin affecting versions prior to 6.9, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code and upload malicious files. With a CVSS score of 9.0 and publicly available exploits, this vulnerability poses an immediate and severe threat to WordPress installations across Saudi Arabia. Organizations must prioritize patching immediately as this vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 19, 2026 04:37
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses critical risk to Saudi e-commerce platforms, government websites, media organizations, and SMEs relying on WordPress. High-risk sectors include: Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated entities using WordPress for customer portals), Government agencies (NCA oversight), Healthcare providers, Telecommunications companies (STC, Mobily), and Energy sector websites. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit makes it particularly dangerous for organizations with public-facing WordPress installations. Compromised sites can be used for credential harvesting, malware distribution, and lateral movement into corporate networks.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
E-commerce and Retail
Media and Publishing
Education
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
9.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all WordPress installations using File Manager plugin across your organization
2. Disable the File Manager plugin immediately if patching cannot be done within 24 hours
3. Review web server logs (last 30 days) for suspicious file uploads to /wp-content/plugins/file-manager/ directory
4. Check for unauthorized PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ and wp-content/plugins/ directories
PATCHING:
1. Update File Manager plugin to version 6.9 or later immediately
2. If using WordPress multisite, ensure all instances are patched
3. Test patches in staging environment before production deployment
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (if immediate patching not possible):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules blocking POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=wp_file_manager_shortcode_execute
2. Restrict file upload permissions to authenticated users only via .htaccess or nginx configuration
3. Disable PHP execution in wp-content/uploads/ directory
4. Implement IP whitelisting for WordPress admin access
DETECTION:
1. Monitor for POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with suspicious parameters
2. Alert on creation of new PHP files in wp-content/uploads/ and wp-content/plugins/
3. Monitor for unusual process execution from web server user (www-data, apache)
4. Review file integrity monitoring (FIM) logs for unauthorized changes
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات WordPress التي تستخدم إضافة File Manager في جميع أنحاء المنظمة
2. تعطيل إضافة File Manager فوراً إذا لم يكن التصحيح ممكناً خلال 24 ساعة
3. مراجعة سجلات خادم الويب (آخر 30 يوماً) للتحقق من التحميلات المريبة إلى دليل /wp-content/plugins/file-manager/
4. التحقق من ملفات PHP غير المصرح بها في أدلة wp-content/uploads/ و wp-content/plugins/
التصحيح:
1. تحديث إضافة File Manager إلى الإصدار 6.9 أو أحدث فوراً
2. إذا كنت تستخدم WordPress multisite، تأكد من تصحيح جميع الحالات
3. اختبر التصحيحات في بيئة التطوير قبل نشرها في الإنتاج
الضوابط البديلة (إذا لم يكن التصحيح الفوري ممكناً):
1. تطبيق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحجب طلبات POST إلى /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
2. تقييد أذونات تحميل الملفات للمستخدمين المصرح لهم فقط عبر .htaccess أو nginx
3. تعطيل تنفيذ PHP في دليل wp-content/uploads/
4. تطبيق قائمة بيضاء للعناوين IP لوصول WordPress admin
الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات POST إلى /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php بمعاملات مريبة
2. التنبيه عند إنشاء ملفات PHP جديدة في wp-content/uploads/ و wp-content/plugins/
3. مراقبة تنفيذ العمليات غير العادية من مستخدم خادم الويب
4. مراجعة سجلات مراقبة سلامة الملفات (FIM) للتغييرات غير المصرح بها
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.12.2.1 - Monitoring of system use
A.12.4.1 - Event logging
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.RA-1 - Asset management and vulnerability identification
PR.IP-12 - Software, firmware, and information integrity mechanisms
DE.CM-1 - The network is monitored to detect potential cybersecurity events
RS.MI-2 - Incidents are mitigated
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development and change management
A.12.4.1 - Recording user activities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0
6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
11.2 - Vulnerability scanning
🔗 References & Sources 0
No references.
📦 Affected Products / CPE 1 entries
WordPress:File Manager Plugin