CVE-2025-68588
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the totalsoft TS Poll WordPress plugin (poll-wp) that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. Attackers can perform unauthorized actions that should require proper authentication. This affects all WordPress sites running TS Poll plugin versions up to and including 2.5.3.
💻 Affected Systems
- totalsoft TS Poll (poll-wp) 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 poll results, delete polls, create malicious polls, or potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative access to the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users can manipulate poll data, create fake polls, or disrupt legitimate poll functionality on affected WordPress sites.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication requirements, only authorized administrators can manage polls as intended.
🎯 Exploit Status
Missing authorization vulnerabilities typically require minimal technical skill to exploit once the attack vector is identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version after 2.5.3
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/poll-wp/vulnerability/wordpress-ts-poll-plugin-2-5-3-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 'TS Poll' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update is available. 5. If no update appears, manually download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable TS Poll Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available
wp plugin deactivate poll-wp
Restrict Access via Web Application Firewall
allConfigure WAF rules to block unauthorized access to TS Poll endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate WordPress installation
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to poll endpoints
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for TS Poll version. If version is 2.5.3 or earlier, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=poll-wp --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify TS Poll plugin version shows higher than 2.5.3 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with poll-related actions
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful poll modifications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to poll-related endpoints from unauthorized IP addresses
- POST requests to poll endpoints without proper authentication headers
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php") AND (action="poll_" OR "ts_poll") AND user="-"