CVE-2025-23534
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2025-23534 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the WPLingo WordPress plugin that allows attackers to delete arbitrary content without proper authentication. This affects all WordPress sites running WPLingo versions up to 1.1.2. Attackers can exploit this to remove posts, pages, or other content from vulnerable websites.
💻 Affected Systems
- WPLingo 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 website defacement through deletion of all content, including critical pages, posts, and media, potentially causing business disruption and data loss.
Likely Case
Selective deletion of important content such as blog posts, product pages, or announcements, leading to website integrity issues and potential SEO damage.
If Mitigated
No impact if proper access controls are implemented or the plugin is updated/disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability allows arbitrary content deletion without authentication, making exploitation straightforward for attackers who discover vulnerable sites.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.1.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/wplingo/vulnerability/wordpress-wplingo-plugin-1-1-2-arbitrary-content-deletion-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find WPLingo and click 'Update Now'. 4. If update not available, download version 1.1.3+ from WordPress repository. 5. Deactivate old version and upload new version via 'Add New' > 'Upload Plugin'.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WPLingo Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate wplingo
Implement Web Application Firewall Rules
allBlock requests to WPLingo endpoints that could trigger content deletion.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove WPLingo plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized content deletion attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for WPLingo version. If version is 1.1.2 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get wplingo --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify WPLingo version shows 1.1.3 or later in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WPLingo endpoints
- Multiple content deletion events in short timeframes
- 404 errors for previously existing content
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/wplingo/ with delete parameters
- Unusual traffic patterns to plugin-specific endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/wplingo/" AND http_method="POST")