# CVE-2025-48827: vBulletin - Authentication Bypass

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2025-48827 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2025-48827

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 10.0
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** vBulletin
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-424 (Improper Protection of Alternate Path)
- **Tags:** forum

## Description

vBulletin 5.0.0 through 5.7.5 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 allows unauthenticated users to invoke protected API controllers' methods when running on PHP 8.1 or later, as demonstrated by the /api.php?method=protectedMethod pattern, as exploited in the wild in May 2025.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2025-48827](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2025-48827) is a serious vulnerability in vBulletin versions 5.0.0 through 5.7.5 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 running on PHP 8.1 or later, allowing unauthenticated attackers to invoke protected API controller methods. This flaw can be exploited remotely, potentially leading to unauthorized access or manipulation of sensitive forum functions, as observed in active attacks in May 2025.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 16th of July 2025.

CrowdSec network observations suggest that most exploitation of CVE-2025-48827 involves focused reconnaissance to identify viable targets. Attackers typically tailor their campaigns based on system exposure and configuration. It is unlikely that a given attack is accidental.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2025-48827 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending POST requests to the `/ajax/api/ad/wrapAdTemplate` endpoint, bypassing authentication to invoke protected methods and potentially execute arbitrary system commands.

## Timeline

- 2025-05-27: CVE Published. CVE-2025-48827 is published to NVD.
- 2025-07-16: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2025-48827 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2025-07-22: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2025-48827 for the first time.

## References

- https://blog.kevintel.com/vbulletin-replaceadtemplate-kev/
- https://kevintel.com/CVE-2025-48827
- https://karmainsecurity.com/dont-call-that-protected-method-vbulletin-rce
- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2025/CVE-2025-48827.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2025-48827) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2025-48827. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.