CVE-2025-2933

Remediation/Mitigation Strategy for CVE-2025-2933

Vulnerability: Unauthorized Modification of Data / Privilege Escalation in Email Notifications for Updates WordPress plugin.

Description: The awun_import_settings() function in the Email Notifications for Updates plugin (versions up to and including 1.1.6) lacks proper capability checks. This allows authenticated users (Subscriber role or higher) to update arbitrary WordPress options.

Severity: High (CVSS Score: 8.8)

Known Exploit: Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to:

  1. Update the default_role option to administrator.
  2. Enable user registration.
  3. Create a new administrator account, thereby gaining full control of the WordPress site.

Remediation:

  • Upgrade Plugin: Immediately update the Email Notifications for Updates plugin to the latest available version (later than 1.1.6). The update will contain the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized option modification.

Mitigation (If immediate upgrade is not possible):

  • Disable User Registration: As a temporary measure, disable user registration on the WordPress site to prevent attackers from creating new administrator accounts. Navigate to Settings -> General and uncheck the “Anyone can register” checkbox.
  • Restrict User Roles: Monitor and restrict user roles on the WordPress site. Regularly review user accounts and ensure that only trusted users have elevated privileges (e.g., administrator).
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules: Implement or update WAF rules to detect and block attempts to access or exploit the awun_import_settings() function with malicious data. This requires specific knowledge of the exploit’s parameters.
  • Monitor Activity Logs: Carefully monitor WordPress activity logs for suspicious behavior, such as unauthorized changes to WordPress options or the creation of new administrator accounts. Look for attempts to access/modify the default_role and users_can_register options.
  • Isolate if compromised If you suspect a compromise isolate the site immediately and perform a full malware scan and audit user activities.

Long-Term Recommendations:

  • Regular Plugin Updates: Establish a routine process for regularly updating all WordPress plugins and themes to address security vulnerabilities.
  • Security Audits: Conduct periodic security audits of your WordPress site to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
  • Least Privilege Principle: Adhere to the principle of least privilege, granting users only the minimum level of access necessary to perform their tasks.

Assigner

Date

  • Published Date: 2025-04-05 02:15:15
  • Updated Date: 2025-04-05 02:15:15

More Details

CVE-2025-2933