CVE-2025-14866
📋 TL;DR
The Melapress Role Editor WordPress plugin has a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users with Subscriber-level access or higher to assign themselves additional roles, including Administrator. This affects all versions up to and including 1.1.1. Any WordPress site using this vulnerable plugin is at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Melapress Role Editor 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
Attackers gain full administrative control over the WordPress site, allowing them to modify content, install malicious plugins/themes, steal data, or take the site offline.
Likely Case
Attackers elevate privileges to Administrator and install backdoors, create hidden admin accounts, or deploy malware for further attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized role changes that can be detected and reverted before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once an attacker has any WordPress user account.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3439348/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Melapress Role Editor' and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify plugin version is 1.1.2 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Melapress Role Editor plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate melapress-role-editor
Restrict user registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from creating accounts
wp option update users_can_register 0
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the plugin entirely and use alternative role management solutions
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual user privilege changes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Melapress Role Editor versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get melapress-role-editor --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.1.2 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual user role changes in WordPress logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful login and role modification
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with role modification parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="user_role_changed" OR action="update_user")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/melapress-role-editor/tags/1.1.0/classes/admin/additional-form-fields/class-user-profile.php#L103
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/melapress-role-editor/tags/1.1.0/classes/admin/ajax/class-admin-ajax.php
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3439348/
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/0509aaf1-8aae-42e5-84d3-ea9b431703f3?source=cve
