CVE-2025-23916
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WP Meetup WordPress plugin that allows attackers to change plugin settings without proper authentication. It affects all WordPress sites running WP Meetup versions up to 2.3.0. The vulnerability enables unauthorized users to modify plugin configuration.
💻 Affected Systems
- Nuanced Media WP Meetup 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 reconfigure the plugin to redirect users to malicious sites, inject malicious content, or disrupt meetup functionality, potentially leading to phishing attacks or site compromise.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users changing plugin settings to disrupt meetup functionality or inject benign but unwanted content.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, no unauthorized changes can be made to plugin settings.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability allows unauthorized access to settings change functionality, making exploitation straightforward for attackers with basic WordPress knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.3.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/wp-meetup/vulnerability/wordpress-wp-meetup-plugin-2-3-0-settings-change-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Meetup plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDeactivate the WP Meetup plugin to prevent exploitation while awaiting patch.
wp plugin deactivate wp-meetup
Access Restriction via .htaccess
linuxRestrict access to plugin files via web server configuration.
# Add to .htaccess in wp-content/plugins/wp-meetup/
<Files *>
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</Files>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the WP Meetup plugin completely and use alternative meeting/event plugins
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized POST requests to plugin endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for WP Meetup version. If version is 2.3.0 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get wp-meetup --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify WP Meetup version shows 2.3.1 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with wp-meetup related actions
- Unexpected changes to wp_meetup_options database table
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax endpoints from unauthenticated sources
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND post_data CONTAINS "wp_meetup") AND user="-"