CVE-2025-69016
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authorization controls in the auxin-elements WordPress plugin, potentially accessing restricted functionality or data. It affects all WordPress sites using the Phlox theme with the auxin-elements plugin version 2.17.12 or earlier.
💻 Affected Systems
- auxin-elements (Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme)
⚠️ 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 site content, access sensitive user data, or escalate privileges to administrative access.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users accessing restricted shortcode functionality or plugin features they shouldn't have permission to use.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper access controls and authentication mechanisms in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but bypasses authorization checks.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.17.13 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.17.13+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the auxin-elements plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate auxin-elements
Restrict plugin access
allUse WordPress role management to restrict who can access plugin functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
- Enable detailed logging and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to plugin functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for 'Shortcodes and extra features for Phlox theme' version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin get auxin-elements --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.17.13 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to auxin-elements plugin endpoints
- Unusual shortcode usage patterns from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/auxin-elements/ from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("auxin-elements" OR "phlox") AND (status=403 OR status=401)