CVE-2025-48828: CVE-2025-48828: Certain vBulletin versions might allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by abusing …

What it is

Certain vBulletin versions might allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by abusing Template Conditionals in the template engine. By crafting template code in an alternative PHP function invocation syntax, such as the "var_dump"("test") syntax, attackers can bypass security checks and execute arbitrary PHP code, as exploited in the wild in May 2025.

Exploitation evidence

First exploit evidence seen: 2025-05-23 (earliest date across the sources below).

Exploited in the wild

No source on this site lists in-the-wild exploitation yet (CISA KEV, VulnCheck KEV).

Public exploit code

Metasploit

• exploit/multi/http/vbulletin_replace_ad_template_rce: vBulletin replaceAdTemplate Remote Code Execution (disclosure 2025-05-23)

GitHub proof-of-concept repositories below quality bar

1 public repositories from 1 accounts, first seen 2025-06-25.

Verify before running: public PoCs can be malicious. Read the code and only run it in an isolated lab. A PoC means exploit code is public, not that this CVE is exploited in the wild.

Sources: Rapid7 Metasploit Framework module metadata · nomi-sec/PoC-in-GitHub.

How to fix it

Fixed versions

NVD does not list a fixed version for this CVE. Use the vendor advisory below.

Derived from the NVD CPE configuration (versionEndExcluding / versionEndIncluding). Always confirm with the vendor advisory.

Vendor advisories and patches

No vendor-tagged reference yet; see the full reference list.

Detection Generic guidance

Response checklist Generic guidance

1. Inventory: find every instance of the affected product and version (include internet-facing and forgotten ones).
2. Patch or mitigate per the vendor advisory; if you cannot patch, remove internet exposure or apply the vendor workaround.
3. Assume compromise if the system was exposed before patching: hunt for the indicators in the advisory and review logs back to the disclosure date.
4. Rotate credentials and secrets stored on or used by the affected system if compromise cannot be ruled out.