CVE-2025-48828

CRITICAL EXPLOITED NUCLEI

vBulletin Template Conditionals - PHP Code Execution

Title source: manual
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2025-48828 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 2 public exploits from researchers including ill-deed, Egidio Romano (EgiX), Valentin Lobstein, including a Metasploit module exploits/multi/http/vbulletin_replace_ad_template_rce. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a functional Python scanner/exploit for CVE-2025-48828, an unauthenticated RCE vulnerability in vBulletin via the `replaceAdTemplate` endpoint. The script automates template injection and command execution, confirming vulnerability by executing the `id` command.

Description

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.

Exploits (2)

nomisec WORKING POC
by ill-deed · remote
https://github.com/ill-deed/vBulletin-CVE-2025-48828-Multi-target

This repository contains a functional Python scanner/exploit for CVE-2025-48828, an unauthenticated RCE vulnerability in vBulletin via the `replaceAdTemplate` endpoint. The script automates template injection and command execution, confirming vulnerability by executing the `id` command.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: vBulletin (versions using ajax/api/ad/replaceAdTemplate)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must be running vulnerable vBulletin version · Access to the `ajax/api/ad/replaceAdTemplate` endpoint
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 18, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC EXCELLENT
by Egidio Romano (EgiX), Valentin Lobstein · rubypocwin
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/vbulletin_replace_ad_template_rce.rb

This Metasploit module exploits a design flaw in vBulletin's AJAX API handler and template rendering system, allowing unauthenticated RCE via template injection and PHP code execution. It targets versions 5.0.0 through 6.0.3 by leveraging PHP's Reflection API and PHP 8.1+ changes.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: vBulletin 5.0.0 to 6.0.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: vBulletin instance with vulnerable version · PHP 8.1+ environment
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

vBulletin replaceAdTemplate - Remote Code Execution
CRITICALVERIFIEDby DhiyaneshDK, Chocapikk
Shodan: http.component:"vBulletin"
FOFA: app="vBulletin"

Scores

CVSS v3 9.0
EPSS 0.7368
EPSS Percentile 98.8%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation poc
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2025-05-26
CWE
CWE-424
Status published
Products (1)
vbulletin/vbulletin 6.0.3
Published May 27, 2025
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026