CVE-2025-31042
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Sandwich Adsense WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. It affects all versions up to 4.0.2, potentially enabling unauthorized actions on WordPress sites using this plugin.
💻 Affected Systems
- Sandwich Adsense 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 plugin settings, inject malicious ads, or potentially escalate privileges to compromise the entire WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could change ad configurations, inject unwanted content, or disrupt ad revenue streams.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized administrators could modify plugin settings.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 4.0.2
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins
3. Find Sandwich Adsense
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update available, deactivate and remove the plugin
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Sandwich Adsense Plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate sandwich-adsense
Restrict Access to WordPress Admin
allImplement IP whitelisting or additional authentication for WordPress admin area
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove Sandwich Adsense plugin completely and use alternative ad management solution
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized access to plugin endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Sandwich Adsense version 4.0.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get sandwich-adsense --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Sandwich Adsense plugin version is higher than 4.0.2 or plugin is removed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to Sandwich Adsense plugin endpoints
- Unexpected modifications to plugin settings
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with sandwich-adsense actions from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("sandwich-adsense" OR "firsth3tagadsense") AND (status=200 OR status=403) AND user="unauthenticated"