Description
The Tiger theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 101.2.1. This is due to the 'paypal-submit.php' file 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-2025-199800
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the Tiger theme for WordPress, identified as EUVD-2025-199800 (CVE-2025-13675), allows for privilege escalation due to insufficient restrictions in the 'paypal-submit.php' file. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to register with the 'administrator' role, 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 with severe potential impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires low complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and no user interaction (UI:N). The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H).
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
Attack Vectors:
- Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation: An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by accessing the 'paypal-submit.php' file and supplying the 'administrator' role during the registration process.
- Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to scan for vulnerable WordPress sites and exploit the flaw en masse.
Exploitation Methods:
- Direct Exploitation: An attacker can directly interact with the 'paypal-submit.php' file by sending a crafted HTTP request with the 'administrator' role parameter.
- Phishing Campaigns: Attackers can lure users to malicious sites that exploit the vulnerability, leading to unauthorized administrative access.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Systems:
- WordPress sites using the Tiger theme.
Software Versions:
- All versions of the Tiger theme up to and including 101.2.1.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update the Theme: Immediately update the Tiger theme to a version higher than 101.2.1 if a patch is available.
- Disable Registration: Temporarily disable user registration to prevent exploitation until a patch is applied.
- Monitor Logs: Closely monitor server logs for any suspicious activity related to the 'paypal-submit.php' file.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Updates: Ensure that all themes and plugins are regularly updated to the latest versions.
- Security Plugins: Use security plugins like Wordfence to monitor and protect against vulnerabilities.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and role-based permissions to minimize the risk of privilege escalation.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations and individuals using the Tiger theme for their WordPress sites. Given the widespread use of WordPress, the potential for widespread exploitation is high, leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential financial losses.
Regulatory Implications:
- GDPR Compliance: Organizations must ensure that they comply with GDPR regulations by promptly addressing the vulnerability to protect user data.
- Incident Reporting: Any breaches resulting from this vulnerability must be reported to relevant authorities within the mandated timeframe.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- File: 'paypal-submit.php'
- Issue: Lack of user role restrictions during registration.
- Exploit: Supplying the 'administrator' role parameter during registration.
Detection Methods:
- Log Analysis: Look for unusual registration activities and access to the 'paypal-submit.php' file.
- Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Configure IDS to detect and alert on suspicious activities related to the vulnerable file.
Patching and Updates:
- Vendor Communication: Ensure communication with the theme vendor (DirectoryThemes) for the latest updates and patches.
- Backup: Always backup the site before applying updates to prevent data loss.
References:
By following these recommendations and staying vigilant, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with this critical vulnerability and protect their WordPress sites from unauthorized access and potential data breaches.