overview

CVE-2025-12158 is a critical privilege escalation vulnerability affecting the Simple User Capabilities WordPress plugin (all versions up to and including 1.0). The flaw arises from a missing authorization check (CWE-862) in the suc_submit_capabilities() function, allowing unauthenticated attackers to elevate any user account to administrator. This exposes affected WordPress sites to complete compromise, including loss of site integrity, confidentiality, and control.

Vulnerability Details

The missing authorization allows even low-privileged or unauthenticated users to execute administrator-only functions. Attackers can remotely target publicly accessible endpoints, often via unauthenticated AJAX calls, to trigger the vulnerable function and escalate privileges without needing valid credentials.

Potential Impact

  • Full administrative control of the site for attackers.
  • Modification or deletion of site content.
  • Exfiltration or exposure of sensitive data.
  • Installation of malicious plugins, backdoors, or persistence mechanisms.
  • Site defacement, further lateral movement, or pivoting to server-level attacks

Affected Products and Versions

  • Product: Simple User Capabilities plugin for WordPress
  • Vulnerable Versions: All up to and including 1.0
  • Mitigation: No official patch is available. The plugin has been removed from the WordPress repository pending a full security review. Immediate mitigation includes disabling the plugin, auditing user roles, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activity.

Current Threat Status

No public exploit code or confirmed incidents have been reported as of November 2025. The risk of exploitation remains very high due to the ease of attack and absence of authentication requirements. All sectors using this plugin should consider themselves at elevated risk, regardless of industry.

 

summary

CVSS and Related Metrics

  • CVSS Score: 8 (Critical)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • KEV: Not currently in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (as of Nov 8, 2025).
  • EPSS:90 (90th percentile)
  • CWE: CWE-284 (Improper Access Control; "Missing Authorization")

Compliance Impact (CVSS ≥ 7.0)

Organizations using the plugin are exposed to substantial compliance and regulatory risks:

  • PCI DSS: Violates requirements for access control and monitoring (PCI DSS 7, 8); attackers could access or manipulate cardholder data.
  • HIPAA: Exposes protected health information if WordPress is used in healthcare; violates access and audit requirements (HIPAA §164.312(a)).
  • SOX: Undermines internal controls over financial reporting (SOX §404); attackers could manipulate or destroy audit-relevant data.
  • ISO 27001: Breaches access control and admin configuration controls (A.9.1.1, A.9.2.3, A.12.6.1).
  • NIST CSF: Affects Access Control, Data Security, and Detection functions, potentially leading to undetected compromise.

 

indicators of compromise

As of November 2025, no definitive IOCs (such as IP addresses, domains, hashes, or malware signatures) are publicly associated with successful exploitation of CVE-2025-12158. While intelligence teams continue to monitor for artifacts, no in-the-wild attacks or associated indicators have been disclosed.

Avertium remains actively engaged in threat hunting and will provide immediate notification if IOCs or exploit artifacts are identified.

For updates or direct support, Avertium clients should reach out to their Service Delivery Manager or Account Executive.

 

mitre att&ck ttps

Relevant attack tactics and techniques mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK framework:

Tactic

Technique

Description

Initial Access

T1190

Exploit Public-Facing Application: Attackers exploit the unauthenticated, public endpoint in the plugin to gain initial access to WordPress.

Privilege Escalation

T1068

Exploitation for Privilege Escalation: Abuse of the missing capability check in suc_submit_capabilities() for full admin rights.

Persistence

T1136

Create Account: New admin accounts can be created to maintain persistent access even after remediation.

Persistence

T1098

Account Manipulation: Attackers can modify user accounts, further entrenching their presence.

Defense Evasion

T1078

Valid Accounts: Gained admin access via role escalation allows attackers to blend in, evading detection focused on new users.

Impact

T1496

Resource Hijacking: With administrative control, attackers can deface sites, install malware, or launch further attacks from the compromised system.

 

additional recommendations and information

Immediate Mitigation Actions

  • Deactivate the Simple User Capabilities plugin on all WordPress sites using version 1.0 or below.
  • Limit access to wp-admin to trusted IP addresses only.
  • Rotate all privileged user passwords and force session logout site-wide.
  • Audit all user accounts, removing unauthorized or suspicious administrator accounts.
  • Create and store complete site backups dated prior to any suspected exploitation.
  • Disable or restrict new user registration, requiring admin approval until vulnerability is mitigated.

Patch and Monitoring Guidance

  • No official patch exists. The plugin's removal from the repository is pending a security review.
  • Apply updates immediately once available; test in staging first.
  • Monitor plugin and WordPress security advisories (Wordfence, Patchstack) for new information.
  • Deploy or tune a web application firewall (WAF) to block unauthorized AJAX requests and custom exploit attempts.
  • Continuously monitor user role changes and administrative events, with alerts on privilege escalations.

Network Security Measures

  • Block known malicious IPs and subscribe to updated threat feeds.
  • Enable IDS/IPS detection for WordPress admin/API abuse, and watch for brute-force or unexpected API calls.
  • Isolate and investigate systems showing compromise, and restrict outbound connections from them.
  • Scan for webshells or hidden backdoors installed by rogue administrative accounts.

Summary

Until an official patch is available, comprehensive deactivation, privilege audits, password resets, limitation of admin access, and WAF/IDS monitoring are all necessary controls. Organizations using Avertium ASM or TDR should leverage these for identification, monitoring, and risk containment.

For tailored guidance or regulatory compliance support, consult cybersecurity professionals or managed security service providers.

 

 

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