Description
The King Addons for Elementor – Free Elements, Widgets, Templates, and Features for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation in versions 24.12.92 to 51.1.14 . This is due to the plugin not properly restricting the roles that users can register with. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to register with administrator-level user accounts.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-37306
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability in the King Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress, identified as EUVD-2025-37306 (CVE-2025-8489), allows for privilege escalation due to improper restrictions on user registration roles. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to register with administrator-level user accounts, effectively gaining full control over the affected 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 User Registration: An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by registering a new user with administrator privileges.
- Automated Scripts: Attackers can use automated scripts to scan for vulnerable WordPress sites and exploit the flaw en masse.
Exploitation Methods:
- Direct Exploitation: By sending a crafted HTTP request to the registration endpoint, an attacker can create an administrator account.
- Phishing Campaigns: Attackers can lure users to malicious registration pages that exploit this vulnerability.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
Affected Software:
- King Addons for Elementor plugin for WordPress
Affected Versions:
- Versions 24.12.92 to 51.1.14
Product Details:
- Product Name: King Addons for Elementor – 4,000+ ready Elementor sections, 650+ templates, 70+ FREE widgets for Elementor
- Vendor: kingaddons
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
Immediate Actions:
- Update the Plugin: Ensure that the King Addons for Elementor plugin is updated to a version higher than 51.1.14.
- Disable User Registration: Temporarily disable user registration until the plugin is updated.
- Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Implement monitoring to detect any unauthorized administrator accounts.
Long-Term Strategies:
- Regular Updates: Maintain a regular update schedule for all plugins and themes.
- Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and role-based permissions.
- Security Plugins: Use security plugins like Wordfence to monitor and protect against vulnerabilities.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to the European cybersecurity landscape, particularly for organizations and individuals using WordPress with the affected plugin. The potential for unauthenticated privilege escalation can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and loss of control over websites, impacting both personal and organizational data integrity and availability.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
Vulnerability Details:
- Root Cause: The plugin does not properly restrict the roles that users can register with, allowing unauthenticated users to register as administrators.
- Affected Code: The vulnerability is present in the
Login_Register_Form_Ajax.phpfile, specifically around lines 353 and 160 in the affected versions.
References:
- Wordfence Threat Intelligence
- WordPress Plugin Repository
- WordPress Plugin Repository
- NVD CVE-2025-8489
Mitigation Steps:
- Identify Affected Systems: Use vulnerability scanners to identify WordPress installations using the affected plugin versions.
- Patch Management: Implement a patch management process to ensure timely updates of all plugins and themes.
- Incident Response: Develop an incident response plan to quickly address any detected exploitation attempts.
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing robust security measures, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and maintain the integrity of their WordPress sites.