CVE-2025-10494

High

Published: 08 October 2025

Published

08 October 2025

Modified

15 April 2026

KEV Added

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Patch

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CVSS Score 8.1 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

EPSS Score 0.0045 63.8th percentile

Risk Priority 16 60% EPSS · 20% KEV · 20% CVSS

Summary

CVE-2025-10494 is a high-severity External Control of File Name or Path (CWE-73) vulnerability in Wordpress (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).

Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 36.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

The strongest mitigations our analysis identified are NIST 800-53 SI-10 (Information Input Validation) and SI-2 (Flaw Remediation).

Threat & Defense at a Glance

What attackers do: exploitation maps to Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190) and 1 other technique. What defenders deploy: see the NIST 800-53 controls recommended below.

Threat & Defense Details

Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5)AI

SI-10 Information Input Validation good match

prevent

Directly addresses the insufficient file path validation that enables path traversal for arbitrary file deletion in the plugin.

SI-2 Flaw Remediation good match

prevent

Requires timely identification, reporting, and patching of the specific flaw in the Motors plugin up to version 1.4.89.

AC-3 Access Enforcement partial match

prevent

Enforces logical access controls to restrict unauthorized file deletion operations even if path validation is bypassed.

MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise TechniquesAI

T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access

Adversaries may attempt to exploit a weakness in an Internet-facing host or system to initially access a network.

attack.mitre.org →

T1070.004 File Deletion Stealth

Adversaries may delete files left behind by the actions of their intrusion activity.

attack.mitre.org →

Why these techniques?

The vulnerability allows exploitation of a public-facing WordPress plugin (T1190) to perform arbitrary file deletion (T1070.004), directly enabling indicator removal or disruption.

Confidence: HIGH · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

NVD Description

The Motors – Car Dealership & Classified Listings Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation when deleting profile pictures in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.89. This makes it possible…

for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php).

Deeper analysisAI

CVE-2025-10494 affects the Motors – Car Dealership & Classified Listings Plugin for WordPress in all versions up to and including 1.4.89. The vulnerability stems from insufficient file path validation when deleting profile pictures, enabling arbitrary file deletion on the server. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H) and is associated with CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path).

Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this issue remotely without user interaction. By manipulating the file deletion process, they can target and remove arbitrary files, such as wp-config.php, potentially leading to remote code execution through server misconfiguration or denial of critical functionality.

Mitigation information is provided in advisories from Wordfence and a corresponding patch in the plugin's WordPress trac repository (changeset from revision 3367132 to 3369415). Security practitioners should update to a patched version beyond 1.4.89 and review access controls for low-privilege users.