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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2020-25213 WordPress CVE debrief

CVE-2020-25213 is a remote code execution vulnerability in the WordPress File Manager Plugin that CISA included in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2021-11-03. Because it is listed as actively exploited, organizations should treat exposed or unpatched installations as urgent remediation candidates and follow vendor update guidance.

Vendor
WordPress
Product
File Manager Plugin
CVSS
CRITICAL 10
CISA KEV
Listed
Original CVE published
2021-11-03
Original CVE updated
2021-11-03
Advisory published
2021-11-03
Advisory updated
2021-11-03

Who should care

WordPress administrators, website owners, managed hosting teams, and security teams responsible for sites using the File Manager Plugin should prioritize this CVE, especially where plugin updates are not centrally enforced.

Technical summary

The available official sources identify CVE-2020-25213 as a WordPress File Manager Plugin remote code execution vulnerability. CISA’s KEV entry confirms known exploitation and directs defenders to apply updates per vendor instructions. The provided corpus does not include version ranges or deeper exploit mechanics, so remediation should be based on vendor guidance and inventory of installed plugin instances.

Defensive priority

High. CISA has placed this CVE in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which indicates real-world abuse and a need for prompt patching or removal where applicable.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Inventory all WordPress sites and identify any installation of the File Manager Plugin.
  • Apply the vendor-recommended update or mitigation immediately on affected systems.
  • If the plugin is no longer needed, remove it from all WordPress instances.
  • Review exposed WordPress administrative surfaces and confirm only authorized users can manage plugins.
  • Check for signs of compromise on systems that may have been vulnerable before patching.
  • Prioritize remediation for internet-facing sites and shared hosting environments first.

Evidence notes

CISA KEV lists this item as "WordPress File Manager Plugin Remote Code Execution Vulnerability" with known exploitation status and the instruction to "Apply updates per vendor instructions." The official resource links provided are the CVE record, NVD detail page, and CISA KEV catalog entry; no additional version or exploit detail is present in the supplied corpus.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2020-25213 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-25213

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2020-25213 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-25213

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

  • CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

    Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency - Official CISA catalog of vulnerabilities known to be exploited in the wild.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/feeds/known_exploited_vulnerabilities.json

    cisa_kev

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.