CVE Alert: CVE-2025-9518 – docjojo – atec Debug

Risk verdict

High risk: authenticated administrators can delete arbitrary files, with potential to trigger remote code execution; no known active exploitation indicators yet, but patch promptly.

Why this matters

The flaw enables deletion of critical files (for example wp-config.php), which can pave the way for full site compromise and data exposure. Attackers with admin rights could weaponise this to achieve RCE, defacement, or system downtime, harming revenue and trust.

Most likely attack path

Prerequisites are high: an attacker must hold Administrator+ access. With no user interaction required, an authenticated actor could craft a malicious request to delete server files via the debug_path path traversal vulnerability, then leverage the resulting access to deploy or execute further code. The impact is total on the targeted asset if core config or web-accessible scripts are removed, and local containment may be challenging.

Who is most exposed

WordPress sites using the atec Debug plugin in production or staging, especially where admin credentials are shared or not regularly rotated. Organisations with weak access controls or infrequent plugin hygiene are particularly at risk.

Detection ideas

• Admin activity unusual or outside normal maintenance windows.
• Logs showing requests to debug_path with file deletion patterns.
• Sudden changes in critical files (e.g., wp-config.php) or mass file removals.
• Elevated privilege actions tied to the plugin endpoint.
• Array of 404/403 anomalies around admin endpoints tied to plugin paths.

Mitigation and prioritisation

• Update to the fixed version or remove/disable the plugin until patched.
• Enforce least-privilege admin access; rotate credentials; disable shared admin accounts.
• Enable file integrity monitoring and real-time backups; deploy WAF rules to block suspicious path traversal.
• Test patch in staging before production rollout; document change in change management. Treat as priority 2.