CVE-2025-12138: File Upload RCE (CVSS 8.8)

Description

The URL Image Importer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient file type validation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.6. This is due to the plugin relying on a user-controlled Content-Type HTTP header to validate file uploads in the 'uimptr_import_image_from_url()' function which writes the file to the server before performing proper validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible via the uploaded PHP file.

Is your site exposed to CVE-2025-12138?

Run a free security scan — no signup, results in seconds.

CVSS v3.1 Score

8.8

HIGH

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

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload

References

Other References

https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/url-image-importer/trunk/url-image-importer.php#L1319 https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/url-image-importer/trunk/url-image-importer.php#L1353 https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/url-image-importer/trunk/url-image-importer.php#L1358 https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/url-image-importer/trunk/url-image-importer.php#L198 https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3395852%40url-image-importer&new=3395852%40url-image-importer&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=#file9 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1da18430-1bd0-4f63-9e22-5d26de2be410?source=cve

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-12138? +

The URL Image Importer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient file type validation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.6. This is due to the plugin relying on a user-controlled Content-Type HTTP header to validate file uploads in the 'uimptr_import_image_from_url()' function which writes the file to the server before performing proper validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible via the uploaded PHP file. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2025-12138? +

CVE-2025-12138 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 out of 10, rated HIGH. This is a high-severity vulnerability that should be prioritized for patching.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2025-12138? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

Related Vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-3219

pip handles concatenated tar and ZIP files as ZIP files regardless of filename or whether a file is both a …

CVE-2024-43662

The <redacted>.exe or <redacted>.exe CGI binary can be used to upload arbitrary files to /tmp/upload/ or /tmp/ respectively as any …

CVE-2026-41517

Emlog is an open source website building system. Prior to version 2.6.11, insecure plugin upload functionality allows attackers to upload …

CVE-2026-5482

Responsive FileManager's allows an unauthenticated attacker to upload files of any type and extension without restriction using dialog.php endpoint, leading …

CVE-2026-34027

The Wertheim SafeController Software, AssemblyVersion 6.15.8328.28014, contains insufficient server-side file type validation in the /safe/contract/uploadcustomdocuments endpoint. The application validates uploaded …

CVE-2019-25714

Seeyon OA A8 contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file write vulnerability in the /seeyon/htmlofficeservlet endpoint that allows remote attackers to write …

CVE-2025-12138