CVE-2025-59001
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the ThemeNectar Salient Core WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. Attackers can perform actions they shouldn't be authorized to do, potentially modifying content or settings. This affects all WordPress sites using Salient Core plugin versions up to and including 3.0.8.
💻 Affected Systems
- ThemeNectar Salient Core 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
Unauthorized users could modify critical WordPress settings, inject malicious content, or gain administrative privileges leading to complete site compromise.
Likely Case
Attackers could modify theme settings, inject advertisements or malicious scripts, or deface website content without proper authorization.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, the vulnerability would be prevented and users would only access authorized functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but doesn't require administrative privileges. The vulnerability is in access control logic, making exploitation straightforward once identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.0.9 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Salient Core' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. Alternatively, download version 3.0.9+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Salient Core Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate salient-core
Restrict Plugin Access
allUse WordPress security plugins to restrict access to plugin functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls using WordPress security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security
- Monitor and audit all user activities, especially those involving theme/plugin modifications
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Salient Core versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get salient-core --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Salient Core plugin version is 3.0.9 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints
- Unexpected theme/plugin modifications by non-admin users
- Failed authorization checks in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with salient-core actions
- Requests to plugin-specific endpoints from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (plugin="salient-core" OR uri="/wp-content/plugins/salient-core/") AND (user_role!="administrator" OR auth_failure=true)