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
Affected Products and Versions
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.
CVSS and Related Metrics
Compliance Impact (CVSS ≥ 7.0)
Organizations using the plugin are exposed to substantial compliance and regulatory risks:
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.
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. |
Immediate Mitigation Actions
Patch and Monitoring Guidance
Network Security Measures
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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