CVE-2025-30830
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Hossni Mubarak Cool Author Box WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.9.9, potentially allowing unauthorized users to perform actions reserved for authorized users.
💻 Affected Systems
- Hossni Mubarak Cool Author Box 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 modify author information, inject malicious content, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify author box content, potentially defacing websites or injecting malicious links/scripts.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized users can modify author information.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.9.10 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Cool Author Box' and check for updates. 4. Update to version 2.9.10 or later. 5. If no update is available, deactivate and remove the plugin.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Cool Author Box plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate hm-cool-author-box-widget
Restrict Access
allImplement web application firewall rules to restrict access to plugin endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls at the web server level to restrict unauthorized requests
- Monitor and audit all access to author box functionality and related endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Cool Author Box version 2.9.9 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get hm-cool-author-box-widget --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.9.10 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST/PUT requests to author box endpoints
- Multiple failed authorization attempts on plugin admin pages
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to /wp-content/plugins/hm-cool-author-box-widget/ endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND parameters CONTAINS "cool_author_box") AND user_agent NOT IN authorized_users