CVE-2025-69184
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the WordPress Institutions Directory plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers can exploit incorrectly configured security levels to perform unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites running Institutions Directory version 1.3.4 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Institutions Directory 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, delete, or create institution directory entries, potentially defacing websites or manipulating sensitive organizational data.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could view or modify directory content they shouldn't have access to, compromising data integrity and confidentiality.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, only authorized administrators could manage directory content.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of WordPress plugin structure but doesn't require advanced technical skills.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: >1.3.4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Institutions Directory' and click 'Update Now'. 4. If update not available, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate institutions-directory
Restrict Access
allUse web application firewall to restrict access to plugin endpoints
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls at network level to limit who can access 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 > Institutions Directory > Version. If version is 1.3.4 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get institutions-directory --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify version is greater than 1.3.4 in WordPress admin plugins page.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with institutions-directory actions
- Multiple failed authorization attempts followed by successful directory modifications
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to WordPress admin endpoints from unauthorized IP addresses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("institutions-directory" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND (action="edit" OR action="delete" OR action="create")