CVE-2025-23962
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Goldstar WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers could potentially access functionality or data they shouldn't have permission to view or modify. This affects all WordPress sites running Goldstar plugin versions up to 2.1.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- Goldstar 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 access administrative functions, modify plugin settings, or access sensitive data managed by the plugin.
Likely Case
Attackers could modify plugin configurations, access user data, or perform actions reserved for authenticated users without proper credentials.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized users can access protected functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the vulnerable endpoints are identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.2 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/goldstar/vulnerability/wordpress-goldstar-plugin-2-1-1-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Goldstar plugin and click 'Update Now' if update is available. 4. If no update appears, manually download version 2.1.2+ from WordPress.org and replace the plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Goldstar Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate goldstar
Restrict Plugin Access via .htaccess
linuxAdd access restrictions to plugin directories
# Add to .htaccess in wp-content/plugins/goldstar/
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized access to Goldstar endpoints
- Restrict network access to WordPress admin interface using IP whitelisting
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Goldstar version. If version is 2.1.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=goldstar --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify Goldstar plugin shows version 2.1.2 or higher in WordPress admin.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual access patterns to Goldstar plugin endpoints
- 401/403 errors followed by successful 200 responses to protected endpoints
- Unauthorized user attempts accessing admin functions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/goldstar/ endpoints from unauthenticated sources
- Unusual parameter manipulation in Goldstar-related requests
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/goldstar/*" AND response_code=200) AND user="-"