Description
The EduKart Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.3. This is due to the 'edukart_pro_register_user_front_end' function not restricting what user roles a user can register with. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to supply the 'administrator' role during registration and gain administrator access to the site.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-199535
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the EduKart Pro plugin for WordPress, identified as EUVD-2025-199535 (CVE-2025-13559), allows for privilege escalation due to insufficient restrictions in the edukart_pro_register_user_front_end function. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to register as administrators, thereby gaining full control over the WordPress site.
Severity Evaluation:
- Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
- Base Score Version: CVSS:3.1
- Base Score Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
The high base score indicates a critical vulnerability due to the ease of exploitation (low complexity, no authentication required) and the severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Unauthenticated Access: Attackers can exploit this vulnerability without needing any prior authentication.
- Remote Exploitation: The attack can be carried out over the network, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.
Exploitation Methods:
- Direct Registration: An attacker can directly register a new user with the 'administrator' role by manipulating the registration form input.
- Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to register multiple administrator accounts, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- EduKart Pro Plugin for WordPress
- Versions: All versions up to and including 1.0.3
Affected Systems:
- WordPress Sites: Any WordPress site using the EduKart Pro plugin version 1.0.3 or earlier.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update Plugin: Immediately update the EduKart Pro plugin to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability.
- Temporary Disable: If an update is not available, temporarily disable the plugin to prevent exploitation.
Long-Term Mitigation:
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits of all plugins and themes used on the WordPress site.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and role-based permissions to limit the impact of similar vulnerabilities.
- Monitoring: Use security monitoring tools to detect and respond to suspicious registration activities.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for educational institutions and organizations using the EduKart Pro plugin. The potential for unauthenticated attackers to gain administrator access can lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and service disruptions. This underscores the importance of timely patching and continuous monitoring of third-party plugins and themes.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Function:
edukart_pro_register_user_front_end - Issue: The function does not restrict user roles during registration, allowing any role to be assigned, including 'administrator'.
Exploitation Steps:
- Identify Target: Locate a WordPress site using the vulnerable EduKart Pro plugin.
- Craft Request: Craft a registration request with the 'administrator' role.
- Submit Request: Submit the crafted request to the registration endpoint.
- Gain Access: Upon successful registration, the attacker gains administrator access to the site.
Detection and Response:
- Log Analysis: Monitor registration logs for unusual role assignments.
- Anomaly Detection: Implement anomaly detection mechanisms to identify and alert on suspicious registration activities.
- Incident Response: Have an incident response plan in place to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.
Conclusion: The EUVD-2025-199535 vulnerability in the EduKart Pro plugin represents a critical risk to WordPress sites. Immediate updates and robust security measures are essential to mitigate this threat. Continuous monitoring and regular audits are crucial for maintaining the security posture of affected systems.
References: