CVE-2025-13542
📋 TL;DR
The DesignThemes LMS WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to register accounts with administrator privileges due to improper role validation. This affects all WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.0.4, enabling complete site takeover.
💻 Affected Systems
- DesignThemes LMS WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of WordPress site with administrative access, allowing data theft, malware injection, defacement, and further network penetration.
Likely Case
Attackers create administrator accounts to install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or deploy ransomware on vulnerable sites.
If Mitigated
With proper monitoring and access controls, impact limited to detection of unauthorized admin accounts before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP POST request with administrator role parameter. Public exploit details available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://themeforest.net/item/egrad-education-wordpress-theme/42803015
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find DesignThemes LMS plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable User Registration
allTemporarily disable user registration in WordPress settings to prevent exploitation
WordPress Admin > Settings > General > Membership: Uncheck 'Anyone can register'
Deactivate Plugin
allImmediately deactivate the vulnerable plugin
WordPress Admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins > DesignThemes LMS > Deactivate
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Deactivate and remove the DesignThemes LMS plugin immediately
- Implement web application firewall rules to block user registration requests containing 'administrator' role parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for DesignThemes LMS version 1.0.4 or earlierCheck Version:
WordPress Admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins > DesignThemes LMS (view version)Verify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.0.5 or later, or confirm plugin is deactivated/removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual user registrations with administrator role
- Multiple failed registration attempts
- New administrator accounts from unfamiliar IPs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to registration endpoints with 'administrator' parameter
- Unusual traffic to user registration pages
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="user_registration" AND role="administrator") OR (url_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND action="dtlms_register_user_front_end")