Sneeit Framework RCE: 131,000 Attacks in One Week

On November 24, 2025, Wordfence detected an unprecedented security incident: a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Sneeit Framework WordPress plugin was being actively exploited in the wild.

Not just hundreds or thousands, but over 131,000 exploitation attempts targeting the Sneeit Framework plugin in just seven days. This large-scale, real-time attack campaign saw threat actors systematically targeting WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress, leveraging this critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-6389) to execute arbitrary code on the server and compromise sites[1][2][3].

Understanding CVE-2025-6389: A Critical Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in the Sneeit Framework Plugin

CVE-2025-6389 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting all versions of the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress up to and including version 8.3. With a maximum CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability represents one of the most severe threats to WordPress security in 2025[1][2][3].

The vulnerability exists in the sneeit_articles_pagination_callback() function, which accepts unsanitized user input and then passes it through call_user_func() without proper validation or sanitization. This critical design flaw makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, completely bypassing WordPress authentication and security mechanisms[1][2].

Unlike many vulnerabilities that require some level of authentication, CVE-2025-6389 allows unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server simply by knowing the site uses a vulnerable version of the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress. No login or special permissions are needed, making this flaw extremely dangerous and easy to exploit[1][2][3].

How the Exploit Works: Leveraging the Vulnerable Function to Execute Code

The vulnerability can be leveraged by sending specially crafted AJAX POST requests to the WordPress administrative endpoint wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. Attackers specify an arbitrary PHP function name and malicious arguments via POST parameters, which the vulnerable code executes directly using call_user_func() without validation[3].

Here is a simplified example of the vulnerable code pattern in the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress:

// Vulnerable code in Sneeit Framework plugin
$function = $_POST['callback'];
call_user_func($function, $_POST['args']); // No validation or sanitization

An attacker could exploit this by calling functions like wp_insert_user() to create new administrator accounts. These unauthorized admin accounts allow attackers to seize complete control of the WordPress site, install backdoors, upload malware, deface the site, steal sensitive data, or redirect visitors to malicious content[2][5].

The Attack Timeline: From Patch Release to Active Exploitation

The timeline of CVE-2025-6389 reveals critical lessons about WordPress security and patch management:

• June 10, 2025: Wordfence received the initial vulnerability submission for the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress
• August 5, 2025: Patch released in Sneeit Framework plugin version 8.4, fixing the remote code execution vulnerability
• November 24, 2025: CVE-2025-6389 publicly disclosed; active exploitation begins immediately
• November 24–December 1, 2025: Over 131,000 attack attempts recorded by Wordfence targeting the vulnerability
• December 2025 (ongoing): Exploitation continues with threat actors actively targeting vulnerable Sneeit Framework plugin installations

The critical issue: The vulnerability patch was available for over three months before attackers began actively exploiting CVE-2025-6389. Despite this ample window, thousands of WordPress sites running the vulnerable Sneeit Framework plugin remained exposed. This gap highlights the importance of timely updates, automatic patching, and proactive vulnerability management in WordPress security. Unlike a zero-day vulnerability (where no patch exists), this cyber attack campaign targeted sites that failed to apply the available vulnerability patch[1][2][3].

The Scale of the Threat: Attack Metrics and Impact on WordPress Sites

The scale of the CVE-2025-6389 cyber attack campaign underscores the systematic nature of the threat against WordPress sites running the Sneeit Framework plugin. This coordinated cyber attack demonstrates how quickly threat actors can scale exploitation once a vulnerability is disclosed:

• 131,000+ total attack attempts blocked in the first week after public disclosure
• Approximately 18,700 attacks per day during peak exploitation
• 780 attacks per hour targeting vulnerable Sneeit Framework plugin versions
• One attack attempt every 4.6 seconds around the clock

These automated scanning and exploitation attempts target the roughly 1,700 active installations of the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking to leverage this critical remote code execution vulnerability[1][2][3].

What Attackers Can Do When They Exploit This Vulnerability

Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-6389 grants attackers the ability to execute arbitrary code on the server, enabling a wide range of malicious activities that severely affect WordPress sites and their users:

• Create unauthorized administrator accounts: Using functions like wp_insert_user(), attackers can add admin users to maintain persistent control
• Install malicious backdoors: Backdoors allow attackers to regain access even after patches or cleanup
• Upload malware and malicious plugins: Infect visitors’ browsers or steal sensitive data
• Steal sensitive data: Extract customer information, payment details, and confidential business data from the WordPress database
• Deface websites: Replace legitimate content with spam, phishing pages, or malicious redirects
• Use compromised servers for attacks: Launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, send spam, or mine cryptocurrency
• Inject malicious code: Modify site files to redirect visitors or serve malware

The consequences extend beyond technical compromise. Cleanup costs for affected WordPress sites typically range from €450 to €2,500, with downtime lasting 3–7 days and reputation damage that can take months to recover[2][5].

Identifying Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) in the Sneeit Framework Plugin

If your WordPress site was running a vulnerable version of the Sneeit Framework plugin during the active exploitation period, it is crucial to check for signs of compromise:

• Unknown administrator accounts: Inspect WordPress Users for unfamiliar admin accounts
• Modified plugin files: Check for unexpected changes in wp-content/plugins/sneeit-framework/ directory timestamps or file contents
• Suspicious PHP files: Look for files like finderdata.txt or goodfinderdata.txt, generated by attacker shell-finder tools
• Malicious AJAX activity: Review server logs for suspicious AJAX POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php from known attacking IPs (e.g., 185.125.50.59, 182.8.226.51, 89.187.175.80, 87.121.84.52)
• Unexpected files in root directory: Identify unfamiliar files in your WordPress root directory
• Database modifications: Look for unauthorized changes in WordPress database tables, especially users and options

How to Protect Your WordPress Site from CVE-2025-6389

1. Update the Sneeit Framework Plugin Immediately

The most critical protection step is updating the Sneeit Framework plugin for WordPress to version 8.4 or later. This vulnerability patch addresses the remote code execution vulnerability and prevents exploitation. Running version 8.3 or earlier leaves your WordPress site vulnerable to unauthenticated attackers executing arbitrary code on the server. Applying the vulnerability patch is essential to protect against this ongoing cyber attack campaign[1][2][3].

To update:

1. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find "Sneeit Framework" in the list
4. Click "Update Now" if an update is available
5. Verify the plugin version is 8.4 or higher

If immediate updating is not possible, temporarily disable the Sneeit Framework plugin to reduce risk, though this may affect site functionality.

2. Conduct a Thorough Security Audit

If your site was not updated during the three-month window between vulnerability patch release and active cyber attack exploitation, assume potential compromise. Conduct a comprehensive security audit, checking for the indicators of compromise listed above. Use security plugins like Wordfence to scan for malware, backdoors, and suspicious activity from this cyber attack campaign[1][2].

3. Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A WAF such as Wordfence, Sucuri, or Cloudflare can block exploit attempts before they reach your WordPress site. During the CVE-2025-6389 exploitation campaign, Wordfence blocked over 131,000 attack attempts targeting the vulnerability. WAFs provide an essential additional layer of defense while you patch and secure your site[1][2][3].

4. Enable Automatic Plugin Updates

Configure WordPress to automatically update plugins, especially security-critical ones like the Sneeit Framework plugin. The three-month delay between vulnerability patch release and active cyber attack exploitation demonstrates the dangers of manual update delays. Automatic updates ensure timely protection against remote code execution vulnerabilities and help prevent cyber attack campaigns from targeting unpatched sites[1][2].

5. Monitor for Suspicious Activity

Implement centralized logging and security monitoring tools to detect unusual AJAX requests, unexpected user account creation, and unauthorized file modifications. Early detection can prevent widespread damage from exploitation of CVE-2025-6389[1][2][3].

The Broader Context: Why CVE-2025-6389 Matters for WordPress Security

CVE-2025-6389 is a critical threat to WordPress security because it combines several dangerous factors: it affects a widely used plugin with over 1,700 active installations, allows unauthenticated remote code execution, has a maximum CVSS severity score of 9.8, and was actively exploited within hours of public disclosure. While not a zero-day vulnerability (a patch was available), the rapid cyber attack campaign demonstrates how quickly threat actors can exploit disclosed vulnerabilities[1][2][3].

Security research shows that over 90% of hacked WordPress sites run outdated software with known vulnerabilities. The Sneeit Framework plugin vulnerability exemplifies this pattern—despite a three-month window to apply the vulnerability patch, thousands of sites remained vulnerable when the cyber attack exploitation began. The scale of the cyber attack campaign, with over 131,000 exploitation attempts in one week, highlights how quickly threat actors target popular WordPress plugins once vulnerabilities are disclosed. Unlike zero-day attacks where no patch exists, this cyber attack targeted sites that simply failed to apply the available vulnerability patch[1][2][3].

This incident underscores the critical importance of treating plugin security updates and vulnerability patches as high-priority tasks rather than optional maintenance. Proactive patching, combined with layered defenses like WAFs and monitoring, is essential to protect WordPress sites from remote code execution vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-6389 and prevent cyber attack campaigns from succeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions About CVE-2025-6389

What exactly is CVE-2025-6389?

CVE-2025-6389 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability in the Sneeit Framework WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to and including 8.3. The flaw exists in the sneeit_articles_pagination_callback() function, which accepts unsanitized user input and passes it through call_user_func() without validation, allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code on the server, leading to complete site compromise[1][2][3].

How do I check if my WordPress site is vulnerable to CVE-2025-6389?

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins, and check the version of the Sneeit Framework plugin. If it is version 8.3 or earlier, your site is vulnerable to this remote code execution flaw. Update immediately to version 8.4 or later[1][2].

What happens if my site is successfully exploited by CVE-2025-6389?

Attackers can create unauthorized administrator accounts, install malicious backdoors, steal sensitive data, deface your website, use your server for malicious activities like DDoS attacks or cryptocurrency mining, and inject malware that affects your visitors. Cleanup costs typically range from €450 to €2,500, with downtime lasting 3–7 days and potential long-term reputation damage[2][5].

Why are there so many attacks targeting CVE-2025-6389?

The Sneeit Framework plugin has over 1,700 active installations, making it a valuable target. The patch was available for three months before active exploitation began, leaving thousands of sites vulnerable. Automated scanning tools enable threat actors to identify and exploit vulnerable WordPress sites at scale, resulting in over 131,000 attack attempts in just one week[1][2].

Can a Web Application Firewall protect me from CVE-2025-6389?

Yes, a WAF like Wordfence can block exploit attempts before they reach your site. Wordfence blocked over 131,000 attempts during the active exploitation campaign. However, a WAF is not a substitute for updating your plugin. The best protection combines WAF rules with keeping the Sneeit Framework plugin updated to version 8.4 or later[1][2][3].

What should I do if I suspect my site has been compromised by CVE-2025-6389?

Immediately check for unknown administrator accounts, review server logs for suspicious AJAX requests from known attacking IPs, search for unexpected files like finderdata.txt or goodfinderdata.txt, and inspect plugin files for unauthorized modifications. If you find signs of compromise, take your site offline and contact a WordPress security professional immediately to minimize damage[2][5].

Is the Sneeit Framework plugin safe to use now?

Yes, the Sneeit Framework plugin is safe if you are running version 8.4 or later, which includes the vulnerability patch for CVE-2025-6389. Keep the plugin updated and implement additional security measures like a Web Application Firewall and automatic updates to protect against future cyber attack campaigns and zero-day vulnerabilities[1][2].

Taking Action: Protect Your WordPress Site Today

CVE-2025-6389 is actively exploited right now. If your WordPress site runs the Sneeit Framework plugin version 8.3 or earlier, you are a prime target for automated exploitation attempts. Immediate action is essential.

Your immediate action items:

• Verify if you are running the Sneeit Framework plugin and check its version
• If on version 8.3 or earlier, update to version 8.4 or later immediately
• If you haven't updated recently, audit your site for signs of compromise
• Implement a Web Application Firewall to block future exploitation attempts
• Enable automatic plugin updates to prevent unpatched vulnerabilities

The exploit is spreading rapidly. This cyber attack is ongoing. Don't become the next victim of CVE-2025-6389. Apply the vulnerability patch by updating your Sneeit Framework plugin today and follow the security measures outlined in this guide to protect your WordPress site from this critical remote code execution vulnerability. While this is not a zero-day vulnerability (a patch exists), the active cyber attack campaign makes immediate patching essential.