CVE-2025-4473 – The Frontend Dashboard WordPress plugin version... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2025-4473?

CVE-2025-4473 has a CVSS score of 8.8 (HIGH). The Frontend Dashboard WordPress plugin versions 1.0 to 2.2.7 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to missing capability checks in the ajax_request() function. Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access can redirect SMTP email settings to their own server, potentially capturing administrator password reset emails to gain full site control. This affects all WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the plugin.

📋 TL;DR

The Frontend Dashboard WordPress plugin versions 1.0 to 2.2.7 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability due to missing capability checks in the ajax_request() function. Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access can redirect SMTP email settings to their own server, potentially capturing administrator password reset emails to gain full site control. This affects all WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the plugin.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Frontend Dashboard WordPress Plugin

Versions: 1.0 to 2.2.7

Operating Systems: All operating systems running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress installation with the Frontend Dashboard plugin enabled and at least one authenticated user account (Subscriber role or higher).

⚠️ 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.

Recommended Actions:

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 gain administrator privileges, perform full site takeover, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, and compromise the entire WordPress installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Attackers redirect password reset emails to their server, reset administrator passwords, gain administrative access, and modify site content or settings.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper access controls and monitoring, attackers may be detected during initial privilege escalation attempts before gaining full administrative access.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires authenticated access but uses simple AJAX requests to modify SMTP settings. The vulnerability is well-documented in public references.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.2.8

Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/frontend-dashboard/#developers

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Frontend Dashboard' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.2.8+ from WordPress plugin repository and manually update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable vulnerable plugin

all

Temporarily disable the Frontend Dashboard plugin until patched

wp plugin deactivate frontend-dashboard

Restrict user registration

all

Disable new user registration to prevent attacker account creation

wp option update users_can_register 0

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall rules to block suspicious AJAX requests to the vulnerable endpoint
Enable detailed logging for user privilege changes and SMTP configuration modifications

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Frontend Dashboard version. If version is between 1.0 and 2.2.7, the site is vulnerable.

Check Version:

wp plugin get frontend-dashboard --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

After updating, verify the plugin version shows 2.2.8 or higher in WordPress admin panel.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual AJAX requests to admin-ajax.php with action=fed_ajax_request
SMTP configuration changes from non-admin users
Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful password resets

Network Indicators:

Outgoing SMTP traffic to unusual/unexpected destinations
Increased AJAX traffic to WordPress admin endpoints

SIEM Query:

source="wordpress.log" AND ("fed_ajax_request" OR "SMTP settings modified" OR "admin email changed")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2025-4473

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-285

EPSS Score: 0.13% exploit probability (32.4th percentile)

Published: May 13, 2025

Last Updated: May 13, 2025

🔗 References

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