CVE-2025-54697
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges in the Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer WordPress plugin. Attackers can gain administrative access to WordPress sites running vulnerable versions. All WordPress sites using affected plugin versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer 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
Full site compromise where attackers gain administrative access, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, and deface or destroy the website.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative privileges to modify site content, install malicious plugins/themes, or access sensitive customer/order data from WooCommerce.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, monitoring, and least privilege principles are already implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Privilege escalation vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are frequently exploited. Attackers typically need some level of access (subscriber/contributor) to exploit this vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.5.17 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.5.17+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate kadence-woocommerce-email-designer
Restrict user registration
allDisable new user registration to prevent attackers from gaining initial access
wp option update users_can_register 0
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and least privilege principles for all user accounts
- Enable comprehensive logging and monitoring for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get kadence-woocommerce-email-designer --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.5.17 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual user role changes in WordPress logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin access
- Plugin activation/deactivation events from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to WordPress admin-ajax.php or admin-post.php with privilege escalation parameters
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("user_role_changed" OR "capabilities_modified" OR "admin_access" from non-admin IP)