CVE-2025-62996
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the WordPress Custom Layouts plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects WordPress sites using Custom Layouts plugin versions up to and including 1.4.12, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access restricted functionality.
💻 Affected Systems
- Custom Layouts – Post + Product grids made easy 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
Attackers could modify post/product grid layouts, inject malicious content, or access administrative functions they shouldn't have permission to use.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could view or modify custom layouts they shouldn't have access to, potentially defacing websites or accessing sensitive configuration data.
If Mitigated
With proper WordPress user role management and security plugins, impact would be limited to low-privilege users attempting unauthorized actions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some WordPress user access, but the vulnerability lowers authorization requirements for certain functions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 1.4.12
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Custom Layouts – Post + Product grids made easy'
4. Click 'Update Now' if available
5. If no update available, deactivate and delete the plugin
6. Install latest version from WordPress repository
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Custom Layouts plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate custom-layouts
Restrict user roles
allLimit WordPress user roles that can access plugin functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict WordPress user role management and limit plugin access to trusted administrators only
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) with WordPress-specific rules to detect and block authorization bypass attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Custom Layouts' version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get custom-layouts --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is greater than 1.4.12 after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to custom-layouts admin endpoints
- Users with low privileges accessing layout modification functions
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with custom-layouts action parameters from unauthorized users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "custom-layouts" AND ("admin-ajax" OR "wp-admin") AND NOT user_role="administrator"