CVE-2025-8565
📋 TL;DR
The WP Legal Pages WordPress plugin has a missing capability check that allows authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher to install arbitrary plugins from the WordPress repository. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.4.3, enabling privilege escalation and potential remote code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- WP Legal Pages 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 install malicious plugins that provide backdoor access, execute arbitrary code, steal sensitive data, or take full control of the WordPress site.
Likely Case
Attackers install plugins that create administrative accounts, exfiltrate data, or establish persistence for further attacks.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized plugin installations that can be detected and removed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is straightforward once authenticated. The vulnerability is publicly disclosed with technical details available.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.4.4
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find WP Legal Pages and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version is 3.4.4 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible.
wp plugin deactivate wplegalpages
Restrict User Roles
allRemove Contributor and higher roles from untrusted users.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the WP Legal Pages plugin immediately.
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized plugin installations.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for WP Legal Pages version 3.4.3 or lower.Check Version:
wp plugin get wplegalpages --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WP Legal Pages version is 3.4.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected plugin installation events
- wp-admin/admin-ajax.php requests with wplp_gdpr_install_plugin_ajax_handler action
- User role changes from Contributor to Administrator
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin installation parameters
- Outbound connections to WordPress plugin repository from unexpected users
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" action="plugin_install" user_role="contributor" OR user_role="author" OR user_role="editor"