A high-priority vulnerability (CVE-2025-14997) affecting the WordPress plugin “BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types” (slug: bp-xprofile-custom-field-types) up to and including version 1.2.8 has been disclosed publicly. The flaw allows an authenticated user with Subscriber privileges to trigger arbitrary file deletion on the server. The issue is classified as Broken Access Control with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.7. The plugin author released a fix in version 1.3.0. If you run this plugin on any site, read the guidance below and act immediately.

Executive summary (TL;DR)

• Vulnerability: Arbitrary File Deletion (Broken Access Control)
• Affected plugin: BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types (bp-xprofile-custom-field-types)
• Vulnerable versions: <= 1.2.8
• Fixed version: 1.3.0 — update immediately
• Privilege required: Authenticated user with Subscriber-level privileges
• CVE: CVE-2025-14997
• CVSS: 7.7 (AV:N / AC:L / PR:L / UI:N / S:C / C:N / I:N / A:H)
• Immediate action: Update plugin to 1.3.0 (or disable/remove plugin if update is not immediately possible), apply targeted mitigations, restrict registrations and file permissions, and verify backups.

Why this is serious

Arbitrary file deletion lets an attacker remove files from your filesystem. Even if confidentiality remains intact, deletion of PHP files, configuration files, .htaccess, or theme/plugin files can render a site partially or completely unusable. Potential impacts include:

• Site outage (availability impact) — denial of service
• Removal of security configuration (for example, .htaccess or security plugin files)
• Destruction of backups or uploaded content, impeding recovery
• Chained attacks where deletion is used to facilitate persistence or further compromise

Because exploitation requires only a Subscriber account, exposure is high for sites that allow registrations, run community features (common with BuddyPress), or do not strictly validate user roles.

Technical summary (what we know)

• This is a broken access control issue in a file-handling pathway that allows an authenticated Subscriber to cause deletion of files on the server.
• The vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2025-14997 and was fixed in bp-xprofile-custom-field-types version 1.3.0.
• CVSS indicates network exploitability, low complexity, low-level privileges required (Subscriber), no user interaction needed, changed scope, and high availability impact.

Note: this summary deliberately omits proof-of-concept exploit code. Treat the flaw as actionable and patch without delay.

Real-world attack scenarios

1. Mass exploitation: Attackers create many Subscriber accounts or use existing low-privileged accounts and run automated scripts to call the vulnerable endpoint across numerous sites, deleting theme/plugin files to cause outages at scale.
2. Targeted sabotage: An attacker finds backup files or specific uploads and deletes them to make recovery difficult following a follow-up intrusion.
3. Chained attacks: After deleting security plugin files or .htaccess, attackers leverage other vectors (file uploads, weak admin credentials) to maintain persistence or inject malicious content.
4. Business and reputation impact: Deletion of product pages or contact pages can cause revenue loss and reputational damage for e-commerce or membership sites.

Can this be exploited remotely?

Yes. The CVSS vector includes AV:N (Network), meaning the vulnerable functionality is accessible over HTTP/S. Any site that permits Subscriber logins (open registration, social login, existing accounts) is at risk from remote exploitation.

How to quickly identify whether you are vulnerable

1. Check plugin presence and version:
   • WordPress Admin: Plugins > Installed Plugins — look for “BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types”.
   • WP-CLI:

     wp plugin list --format=csv | grep bp-xprofile-custom-field-types

   • If version ≤ 1.2.8, the site is vulnerable.
2. Check plugin directory:

   ls -la wp-content/plugins/bp-xprofile-custom-field-types

3. Check registration settings and Subscriber counts:
   • WP Admin > Settings > General: “Anyone can register” — if enabled, risk is higher.
   • Count subscribers:

     wp user list --role=subscriber --format=csv | wc -l

4. Look for indicators of compromise (IoCs) — see next section.

Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) — what to look for now

• Missing or suddenly changed files (themes/plugins); front-end shows 500 errors or blank pages.
• Unexplained 404s for previously accessible plugin/theme assets.
• PHP errors referencing missing includes when loading pages.
• Recent file deletions in directories writable by the web server user.
• Access logs showing authenticated requests from Subscriber accounts to plugin endpoints, especially POST/GETs referencing plugin parameters.
• Unusual spikes in new user registrations.
• Altered timestamps on wp-content files or backups.

Quick file-change check (read-only):

# show files modified in last 3 days
find wp-content -type f -mtime -3 -ls

If you observe missing files, proceed immediately to the recovery steps below.

Immediate mitigation steps (highest priority)

If your site runs the vulnerable plugin version (≤ 1.2.8), follow these steps in priority order:

1. Update the plugin to 1.3.0 (recommended)
   • WP Admin: Plugins → Installed Plugins → update to 1.3.0.
   • WP-CLI:

     wp plugin update bp-xprofile-custom-field-types --version=1.3.0

   • After updating, verify front-end and admin functionality and check error logs.
2. If you cannot update immediately:
   • Deactivate the plugin:

     wp plugin deactivate bp-xprofile-custom-field-types

   • Or temporarily rename the plugin directory:

     mv wp-content/plugins/bp-xprofile-custom-field-types wp-content/plugins/bp-xprofile-custom-field-types-disabled

   • Note: renaming or deactivating will disable plugin functionality—backup before changes.
3. Apply targeted WAF / virtual patching
   • Deploy rules that block requests to the plugin’s endpoints carrying suspicious parameters or path traversal sequences. Virtual patching can block exploitation attempts while you update sites.
   • Work with your hosting or security operations team to install narrow rules targeting the vulnerable code paths; avoid overly broad blocks that break legitimate traffic.
4. Restrict user registrations and tighten account controls
   • Temporarily disable “Anyone can register” (Settings → General).
   • Require email verification, manual approval, or CAPTCHA for new registrations if registrations must remain open.
5. Harden file permissions and configuration
   • Ensure wp-config.php is not writable by the web server user:

     chmod 440 wp-config.php
     chown root:www-data wp-config.php

   • Disable PHP execution in uploads (example for .htaccess):

     # Disable PHP in uploads
     <FilesMatch "\.(php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|php7|phps)$">
         Require all denied
     </FilesMatch>

6. Protect backups
   • Move backups off the web server to remote storage and verify their integrity.
   • Ensure backup files are not writable by the web server process.
7. Increase log monitoring
   • Monitor access and error logs for suspicious Subscriber activity and attempts to access plugin endpoints.

Recommended WAF / Virtual patching rules (conceptual)

Translate these conceptual rules into your WAF or reverse proxy rule language. Target only plugin-specific paths and request patterns to avoid breaking legitimate traffic.

• Block POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/bp-xprofile-custom-field-types/* that contain parameters like delete, file, filepath, action=delete, or path traversal markers (../).
• Block requests with parameter values containing “../” or null-byte patterns.
• Block attempts referencing sensitive paths: /wp-config.php, /wp-content/*.php, .htaccess, /wp-content/backup*.zip.
• Rate-limit requests from the same IP or same authenticated account performing repeated plugin endpoint access.

If in doubt, use managed virtual patch rules from your WAF provider and monitor for false positives.

What to do if you have been exploited (incident response)

1. Isolate
   • Take the site into maintenance mode to stop ongoing damage if necessary.
   • Disable the vulnerable plugin and block the attack vector at the network or application level.
2. Preserve evidence
   • Copy web server, application and syslogs to secure storage.
   • Create a read-only filesystem snapshot for forensic analysis.
3. Restore from a clean backup
   • Identify the most recent clean backup taken before the compromise, verify integrity offsite, and restore to a staging environment for validation.
4. Rebuild if necessary
   • If backups are unavailable or compromised, rebuild from clean WordPress core and plugin packages and a sanitized database export.
5. Rotate credentials and keys
   • Force password resets for all users and rotate API keys and third-party credentials.
   • Consider updating auth salts in wp-config.php if session compromise is suspected.
6. Reinstall fixed components and harden
   • Install the patched plugin version (1.3.0 or later) and apply pending updates for other components.
   • Run malware scans and file integrity checks before returning the site to production.
7. Post-incident monitoring
   • Monitor the site closely for at least 30 days, review accounts, and remove suspicious users.
8. Report and conduct lessons learned
   • Report the incident per legal or contractual requirements and perform a post-mortem to improve processes.

Hardening and prevention (long-term controls)

• Principle of least privilege: Limit user capabilities to the minimum required and audit role changes.
• Limit or vet user registration: Use verification, CAPTCHA, or manual approval where practical.
• Enforce timely patching: Maintain a schedule and automate updates where safe. Subscribe to vulnerability feeds for alerts.
• Use virtual patching: A properly configured WAF can reduce exposure between disclosure and full patch deployment.
• Protect backups and critical files: Keep backups off-server and restrict write access from web processes.
• Implement file integrity monitoring: Alert on deletions or unexpected modifications.
• Regular security audits: Conduct periodic audits and code reviews, especially for plugins that handle files or user content.
• Harden uploads directory: Disable PHP execution where it is not needed.
• Vet plugins carefully: Prefer well-maintained plugins with active maintainers and a security track record.

Example checklist for site owners (step-by-step)

1. Check for the plugin and version immediately.
2. If installed and ≤1.2.8 — update to 1.3.0 immediately.
3. If you cannot update, deactivate or rename the plugin folder.
4. Apply targeted WAF virtual patching for plugin endpoint patterns and suspicious parameters.
5. Disable open registrations or enforce stronger registration controls.
6. Lock down filesystem permissions for critical files.
7. Verify offsite backups and prepare to restore if necessary.
8. Scan the site for missing files or other signs of tampering.
9. Rotate credentials and review user accounts.
10. Monitor logs and set alerts for suspicious Subscriber activity.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q: My site used the plugin and I updated — do I need to do anything else?
A: After updating, verify site functionality and review logs for suspicious activity that predates the update. If you see suspicious Subscriber actions, follow the incident response steps above.

Q: Should I delete the plugin instead of updating?
A: If you do not use the plugin, delete it. If you need its features, update to 1.3.0 and apply the mitigations listed (registration controls, permissions, monitoring).

Q: Is it normal for a Subscriber account to delete files?
A: No. WordPress core does not grant Subscribers file-deletion capabilities. This vulnerability results from plugin code that incorrectly authorises a destructive action to low-privilege users.

Q: How can I confirm exploitation if there are no obvious errors?
A: Compare file lists against backups, review timestamps, and examine access logs for suspicious Subscriber requests. Absence of immediate errors does not guarantee safety — proactive integrity checks are essential.

Forensics checklist for security teams

• Collect web server access and error logs for at least 90 days; focus on plugin paths.
• Collect application, authentication, and database logs where available.
• Create disk snapshots of the webroot and plugin directories for offline analysis.
• Export user lists with creation and last-login timestamps; flag accounts created near the compromise window.
• Verify backup integrity and retention policies; locate off-site backups.
• Search for deleted files in hosting control panel snapshots or filesystem journals where possible.
• Document timeline and scope for compliance and reporting.

Why virtual patching matters right now

Virtual patching blocks exploit attempts at the application layer before they reach vulnerable code. There will be a window of exposure between public disclosure and when every site is updated. Targeted virtual patches and rate-limiting can dramatically reduce successful exploit attempts while you patch and harden systems. Virtual patching is a temporary defence — it does not replace proper updates and hardening.

Post-update verification and monitoring

• Confirm front-end and admin functionality after updating to 1.3.0.
• Run a full malware scan and file integrity check.
• Confirm backups are intact and restorable.
• Enable logging and alerts for suspicious Subscriber behaviour.
• If you manage multiple sites, coordinate updates and keep a changelog of versions and remediation actions.

Final words: prioritise this now

This vulnerability is high priority because it requires only low-privilege authentication and allows high-impact file deletions. If your site uses BuddyPress or community plugins, or you allow user registration, you face elevated risk. Patch the plugin to 1.3.0 immediately. If you cannot update every affected site at once, deploy targeted virtual patches, restrict user registration, harden file permissions, and verify backups.

If you need technical assistance with detection, containment or recovery, engage a qualified incident response provider or security consultant promptly. Rapid, methodical action is the single most effective way to limit damage.

Useful references

• CVE-2025-14997 (public advisory)
• Plugin details: check your WordPress admin plugin list for “BuddyPress Xprofile Custom Field Types”.
• WP-CLI update example:

  wp plugin update bp-xprofile-custom-field-types