CVE-2025-48827: vBulletin 5.0.0 through 5.7.5 and 6.0.0 through 6.0.3 allows unauthenticated users to invoke protected API con

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CRITICAL 10.0REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2025-48827 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting vbulletin. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	75.6% (top 1%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-424
Published	2025-05-27
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: vbulletin

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-05-27 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 09:30 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vbulletin vbulletin UPGRADE

Affected: >= 5.0.0 and <= 5.7.5 · >= 6.0.0 and <= 6.0.3

Fixed in: newer than 6.0.3

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vbulletin || rpm -q vbulletin || vbulletin --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 6.0.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade vbulletin

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade vbulletin

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison vbulletin sudo apt install vbulletin=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold vbulletin

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list vbulletin sudo dnf downgrade vbulletin-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add vbulletin

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora ELN · fips-provider-next · FIXED · 1.5.3-3.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-3ce99ec7df · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-3ce99ec7df

Fedora 46 · rubygem-webmock · FIXED · 3.26.1-3.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-bb57b4d095 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-bb57b4d095

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

GitHub PoC: 0xgh057r3c0n/CVE-2025-48827 (11 stars)
GitHub PoC: sh4den/CVE-2025-48827 (1 stars)
GitHub PoC: wiseep/CVE-2025-48827 (0 stars)
Write-up: karmainsecurity.com/dont-call-that-protected-method-vbulletin-rce
Write-up: kevintel.com/CVE-2025-48827
GitHub PoC: SystemVll/CVE-2025-48827
Metasploit: vBulletin replaceAdTemplate Remote Code Execution
Nuclei scan template: vBulletin 5.0.0-6.0.3 - Authentication Bypass

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-48827?

vbulletin: upgrade to newer than 6.0.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-48827 being exploited?

CVE-2025-48827 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-48827 affect?

CVE-2025-48827 affects vbulletin. Severity is critical (CVSS 10.0). 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 i

How urgent is CVE-2025-48827?

Priority 73/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 1%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-46171 MEDIUM 5.4 DOWNGRADE vBulletin 3.8.7 is vulnerable to a denial-of-service condition via the misc.php?do=buddylist endpoint
CVE-2025-48828 CRITICAL 9.0 DOWNGRADE Certain vBulletin versions might allow attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code by abusing Template Conditional

References

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