CVE-2025-5117
📋 TL;DR
The Property plugin for WordPress (versions 1.0.5-1.0.6) contains a privilege escalation vulnerability where authenticated users with Author-level permissions or higher can elevate their privileges to Administrator. Attackers can exploit this by creating a package post with administrator role metadata and submitting the PayPal registration form. This affects WordPress sites using the vulnerable Property plugin versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Property 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 gain full administrative control over the WordPress site, allowing them to install malicious plugins/themes, modify content, steal data, or establish persistent backdoors.
Likely Case
Attackers with existing author accounts elevate to administrator and modify site content, user roles, or install additional malicious components.
If Mitigated
With proper user role management and monitoring, exploitation would be detected and contained before significant damage occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access with at least Author privileges. The vulnerability is well-documented with code references available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.0.7 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/property/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Property' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, download version 1.0.7+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Property Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate property
Restrict User Roles
linuxTemporarily remove Author and higher roles from untrusted users
wp user list --role=author --field=ID | xargs wp user set-role subscriber
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user role management and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
- Deploy web application firewall rules to block suspicious POST requests to payment processing endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Property plugin version. If version is 1.0.5 or 1.0.6, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get property --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Property plugin version is 1.0.7 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=property_paypal_submit
- User role changes from author/editor to administrator
- Unusual package post creation with administrator metadata
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests containing property_package_user_role=administrator
- Unusual PayPal form submissions from author-level users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("property_paypal_submit" OR "property_package_user_role")🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/property/tags/1.0.6/admin/pages/payment-inc/paypal-submit.php#L128
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/property/tags/1.0.6/property.php#L1964
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3299714/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/property/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/df48f7f9-7bc9-4f9b-b9b5-6bfb86309030?source=cve
