CVE-2025-14997CWE-22path-traversal

CVE-2025-14997

High · published January 6, 2026

CVSS v3.1
8.8
EPSS
1%
Percentile
53.2
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚡ A crafty attack can lead to unauthorized file deletion! In BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types plugin for WordPress, a tiny misstep in file path validation is all it takes to unleash chaos. 🔥 Think of it like a restaurant where a waiter can take any dish off the menu without checking — a Subscriber-level user could easily delete key files instead of just their own data. Yikes! An attacker with Subscriber-level access could delete crucial files on the server, including sensitive files like wp-config.php. This could open the door to remote code execution, potentially allowing them to take full control of your site and wreak havoc. Imagine the damage of a malicious deletion — absolutely devastating!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where a waiter can take any dish off the menu without checking — a Subscriber-level user could easily delete key files instead of just their own data. Yikes! The vulnerability lies in the 'delete_field' function of the plugin, where insufficient validation allows authenticated users to remove arbitrary files from the server, leading to severe security risks.

What to do

An attacker with Subscriber-level access could delete crucial files on the server, including sensitive files like wp-config.php. This could open the door to remote code execution, potentially allowing them to take full control of your site and wreak havoc. Imagine the damage of a malicious deletion — absolutely devastating! Update the BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types plugin to version 1.2.9 or later immediately. Review user permissions to restrict access based on necessity, ensuring that only trusted roles can delete files. Conduct a thorough audit of your server for any unintended deletions. You've got this! With these steps, you can secure your WordPress site and keep those pesky attackers at bay! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
8.8 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00716 · 53.2th percentile
Weakness
CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Published
2026-01-06T10:16Z
References (3)
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 06 JAN 04:31Z
    BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types <= 1.2.8 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary File Deletion
    cvelistv5