CVE-2025-12171
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2025-12171 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Wordpress (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Web Shell (T1505.003); ranked at the 45th percentile by exploit likelihood (below the median); it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
The strongest mitigations our analysis identified map to SI-3 (Malicious Code Protection) and CM-7 (Least Functionality) — see the control section below for these in your framework.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2025-12171 affects the RESTful Content Syndication plugin for WordPress in versions 1.1.0 through 1.5.0. The vulnerability stems from missing file type validation in the ingest_image() function, enabling arbitrary file uploads. It is classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). The issue was published on 2025-11-01.
Authenticated attackers with Author-level access or higher can exploit this to upload arbitrary files to the affected WordPress site's server, potentially leading to remote code execution. Exploitation requires the attacker to have access to a third-party server defined in the plugin's settings, making it unlikely for contributor-level users but more feasible for administrators who control those settings.
Mitigation details are documented in advisories from the WordPress plugin trac changeset at https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3384901%40restful-syndication&new=3384901%40restful-syndication&sfp_email=&sfph_mail= and Wordfence threat intelligence at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/99db7ac5-b7ac-4a4f-bd05-e563a3dfb839?source=cve.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-37426
Vulnerability Data
The RESTful Content Syndication plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the ingest_image() function in versions 1.1.0 to 1.5.0. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above,…
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to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible. This requires the attacker have access to a defined third-party server as specified in the settings, so it is unlikely that this will be exploitable by contributor-level users, and more likely to be exploited by administrators who also have access to the plugin's settings.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V5.1.1
Mitigating Controls (NIST 800-53 r5) AI
Malicious-code protection at entry points blocks dangerous file types from being accepted and executed.
Least functionality restricts the file types and automatic processing capabilities the system will accept.
Mobile-code controls define, authorize, and block unacceptable uploaded code before automatic processing occurs.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.
Secure development practices include input validation and file-type restrictions that prevent this weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Configuration and acceptance testing verify that file-upload handling enforces allowed types and does not permit dangerous content to be stored or executed.