CVE-2025-12974: File Upload RCE (CVSS 8.1)

Description

The Gravity Forms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the legacy chunked upload mechanism in all versions up to, and including, 2.9.21.1. This is due to the extension blacklist not including .phar files, which can be uploaded through the chunked upload mechanism. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload executable .phar files and achieve remote code execution on the server, granted they can discover or enumerate the upload path. In order for an attacker to achieve RCE, the web server needs to be set up to process .phar file as PHP via file handler mapping or similar.

Is your site exposed to CVE-2025-12974?

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

CVSS v3.1 Score

8.1

HIGH

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

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload

References

Other References

https://docs.gravityforms.com/gravityforms-change-log/ https://github.com/pronamic/gravityforms/blob/06de1b7e169e4f073e9d0d491e17b89365b48c20/common/common.php#L4178 https://github.com/pronamic/gravityforms/blob/06de1b7e169e4f073e9d0d491e17b89365b48c20/includes/upload.php#L97 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/b6395439-da45-4b64-8e30-b106dffd46c1?source=cve

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-12974? +

The Gravity Forms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the legacy chunked upload mechanism in all versions up to, and including, 2.9.21.1. This is due to the extension blacklist not including .phar files, which can be uploaded through the chunked upload mechanism. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload executable .phar files and achieve remote code execution on the server, granted they can discover or enumerate the upload path. In order for an attacker to achieve RCE, the web server needs to be set up to process .phar file as PHP via file handler mapping or similar. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.1 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2025-12974? +

CVE-2025-12974 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.1 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-2025-12974? +

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-2025-12974