CVE-2025-22726
📋 TL;DR
This SSRF vulnerability in the nK Themes Helper WordPress plugin allows attackers to make the vulnerable server send unauthorized requests to internal or external systems. It affects all WordPress sites running nK Themes Helper version 1.7.9 or earlier. Attackers can potentially access internal services, perform port scanning, or interact with cloud metadata services.
💻 Affected Systems
- nK Themes Helper 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 could access internal services, cloud metadata (AWS/Azure/GCP credentials), perform port scanning, or use the server as a proxy for attacks against other systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Attackers scan internal networks, access internal web applications, or interact with cloud metadata services to obtain credentials for further compromise.
If Mitigated
With proper network segmentation and egress filtering, impact is limited to internal network reconnaissance and potential access to segmented services.
🎯 Exploit Status
SSRF vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and weaponized due to their potential for internal network access and cloud metadata abuse.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: > 1.7.9
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'nK Themes Helper'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and remove the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate nk-themes-helper
Network Egress Filtering
allRestrict outbound HTTP/HTTPS requests from web servers to only necessary destinations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SSRF patterns
- Restrict server outbound network access using firewall rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for nK Themes Helper versionCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=nk-themes-helper --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is > 1.7.9 in WordPress admin or using: wp plugin list --name=nk-themes-helper --field=version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual outbound HTTP requests from web server to internal IPs, localhost, or cloud metadata endpoints
- Multiple failed outbound connection attempts to various ports
Network Indicators:
- Web server making unexpected HTTP requests to internal network ranges
- Requests to cloud metadata services (169.254.169.254, 169.254.170.2)
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND (dest_ip IN (RFC1918_RANGES) OR dest_ip="169.254.169.254" OR dest_ip="169.254.170.2") AND user_agent LIKE "%WordPress%"