CVE-2025-7441Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via forged webhook HMAC

Published Aug 16, 2025 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Arbitrary file upload in the StoryChief WordPress plugin 1.0.42 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through its webhook. The /wp-json/storychief/webhook handler validates requests with an empty default HMAC secret, so attackers can forge the MAC and make WordPress fetch PHP into its uploads directory. Exploitation requires a reachable REST endpoint with the secret left empty and executes the fetched PHP as the web service account.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability39.49%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary file upload in the StoryChief WordPress plugin 1.0.42 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through its webhook. The /wp-json/storychief/webhook handler validates requests with an empty default HMAC secret, so attackers can forge the MAC and make WordPress fetch PHP into its uploads directory. Exploitation requires a reachable REST endpoint with the secret left empty and executes the fetched PHP as the web service account.

The record

CVE
CVE-2025-7441
Published
Aug 16, 2025
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
StoryChief
Product
StoryChief
Classifications
CWE-434, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 16, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=1.0.42

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

StoryChief · StoryChiefversion=0 <=1.0.42

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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