CVE-2025-53221
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the CodeablePress WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all versions up to 1.0.0, potentially allowing unauthorized users to perform actions intended for authenticated users.
💻 Affected Systems
- CodeablePress 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
Unauthenticated attackers could modify user profile pictures, potentially leading to account takeover, defacement, or injection of malicious content.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could upload or modify profile pictures for other users, causing reputation damage or minor disruption.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, only authenticated users with appropriate permissions can modify profile pictures.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress plugin structure and access control mechanisms. No public exploit code available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 1.0.0
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins
3. Find CodeablePress plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update available
5. If no update, deactivate and remove plugin
6. Install updated version from WordPress repository
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CodeablePress Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate codeablepress
Restrict Access via .htaccess
ApacheAdd access restrictions to plugin directory
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall rules to block unauthorized profile picture upload requests
- Enable detailed logging for all profile picture modification attempts and monitor for suspicious activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for CodeablePress version 1.0.0 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get codeablepress --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.0.0 and test profile picture upload functionality with unauthorized user accounts📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/codeablepress/
- Failed authorization attempts for profile picture uploads
- User ID mismatch in profile modification logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual upload traffic to plugin endpoints from unauthenticated IPs
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful profile modifications
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("codeablepress" OR "profile picture") AND (response_code=200 OR response_code=403) AND user="-"