CVE-2025-22696
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the WordPress EmbedPress Document Block plugin that allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should require proper authentication. It affects all WordPress sites using the Document Block plugin version 1.1.0 and earlier. The vulnerability enables broken access control where users can upload and embed documents without proper permission checks.
💻 Affected Systems
- EmbedPress Document Block – Upload & Embed Docs 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
Unauthorized users could upload malicious documents to the WordPress site, potentially leading to malware distribution, content injection, or server compromise if document parsing vulnerabilities exist.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users upload documents to bypass content restrictions, potentially posting inappropriate content or consuming server storage resources.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and authentication requirements, impact is limited to authorized users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability involves missing authorization checks, making exploitation straightforward once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 1.1.0
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Document Block – Upload & Embed Docs'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, delete the plugin and install the latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Document Block plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate document-block-upload-embed-docs
Restrict upload permissions
allConfigure WordPress to restrict document uploads to administrators only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized document upload requests
- Enable detailed logging for all document upload activities and monitor for unauthorized attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Document Block – Upload & Embed Docs versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get document-block-upload-embed-docs --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.1.0 in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to document upload endpoints
- Document uploads from non-admin user accounts
- Multiple failed authorization attempts on document upload functions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/document-block-upload-embed-docs/ endpoints from unauthorized IPs
- Unusual document file uploads to WordPress
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("document-block-upload-embed-docs" OR "document upload") AND (user_role!="administrator" OR auth_failure)