CVE-2026-25330
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the PublishPress Authors WordPress plugin that allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. It affects all versions up to and including 4.10.1, potentially allowing unauthorized users to perform actions reserved for authorized users.
💻 Affected Systems
- PublishPress Authors 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 author assignments, change post authorship, or manipulate user permissions, potentially leading to content manipulation, privilege escalation, or unauthorized content publication.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could modify author metadata, change post authorship, or access administrative functions they shouldn't have access to, leading to content integrity issues.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and authentication checks, impact would be limited to authorized users only performing intended actions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but the vulnerability bypasses authorization checks for certain functions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 4.10.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find PublishPress Authors. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate publishpress-authors
Restrict 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:
location /wp-admin/ {
allow 192.168.1.0/24;
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and user role management
- Monitor and audit all author-related changes in WordPress
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → PublishPress Authors → Version. If version is 4.10.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get publishpress-authors --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 4.10.1 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to author management functions
- Unexpected changes to post authorship or author metadata
- Failed authorization checks in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to author-related endpoints
- Requests bypassing normal authentication flows
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("publishpress-authors" OR "author_management") AND ("unauthorized" OR "permission_denied")