CVE-2020-25213
CVE-2020-25213 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Filemanagerpro File Manager with a CVSS 3.x base score of 10.0. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2021-11-03). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-434.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 10.0)
- CVSS v2: 7.5
- EPSS exploit prediction: 97% (100th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2021-11-03)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2020-17903
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2021-11-03)
- Weakness: CWE-434
- Affected product: Filemanagerpro File Manager
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The File Manager (wp-file-manager) plugin before 6.9 for WordPress allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code because it renames an unsafe example elFinder connector file to have the .php extension. This, for example, allows attackers to run the elFinder upload (or mkfile and put) command to write PHP code into the wp-content/plugins/wp-file-manager/lib/files/ directory. This was exploited in the wild in August and September 2020.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2020-25213?
- The File Manager (wp-file-manager) plugin before 6.9 for WordPress allows remote attackers to upload and execute arbitrary PHP code because it renames an unsafe example elFinder connector file to have the .php extension. This, for example, allows attackers to run the elFinder upload (or mkfile and put) command to write PHP code into the wp-content/plugins/wp-file-manager/lib/files/ directory. This was exploited in the wild in August and September 2020.
- How severe is CVE-2020-25213?
- CVE-2020-25213 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 10.0, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2020-25213 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2020-25213 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2021-11-03, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2020-25213?
- CVE-2020-25213 affects Filemanagerpro File Manager. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-25213?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2020-25213 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2020-25213 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2020-17903. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2021-11-03).
- When was CVE-2020-25213 published?
- CVE-2020-25213 was published on 2020-09-09 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/160003/WordPress-File-Manager-6.8-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171650/WordPress-File-Manager-6.9-Shell-Upload.html
- https://github.com/w4fz5uck5/wp-file-manager-0day
- https://hotforsecurity.bitdefender.com/blog/wordpress-websites-attacked-via-file-manager-plugin-vulnerability-24048.html
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2373068
- https://seravo.com/blog/0-day-vulnerability-in-wp-file-manager/
- https://wordfence.com/blog/2020/09/700000-wordpress-users-affected-by-zero-day-vulnerability-in-file-manager-plugin/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-file-manager/#developers
- https://zdnet.com/article/millions-of-wordpress-sites-are-being-probed-attacked-with-recent-plugin-bug/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-25213
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:filemanagerpro:file_manager:*:*:*:*:free:wordpress:*:*
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