CVE-2025-67563
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the Post SMTP WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. Attackers can perform unauthorized actions due to broken access controls. This affects all WordPress sites running Post SMTP plugin versions up to and including 3.6.1.
💻 Affected Systems
- Post SMTP 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 SMTP settings, intercept emails, send unauthorized emails, or potentially gain administrative access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Attackers modify SMTP configuration to intercept or redirect email communications, potentially leading to data leakage or phishing attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, impact is limited to authorized users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity and can be exploited without authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 3.6.1
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/post-smtp/vulnerability/wordpress-post-smtp-plugin-3-6-1-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Post SMTP plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Post SMTP Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate post-smtp
Restrict Plugin Access
linuxImplement IP-based restrictions to WordPress admin area
# Add to .htaccess for Apache: Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
# Add to nginx config: allow 192.168.1.0/24; deny all;
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized access to Post SMTP endpoints
- Enable WordPress security plugins that monitor and block suspicious admin area access
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Post SMTP version. If version is 3.6.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get post-smtp --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Post SMTP plugin version is greater than 3.6.1 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with post-smtp actions
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful SMTP configuration changes
Network Indicators:
- Unusual SMTP configuration changes from unexpected IP addresses
- Email traffic redirection to unauthorized servers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND action="post_smtp_*") AND user="-"