CVE-2025-23486 Overview
CVE-2025-23486 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the tamlyn Database Sync plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions of database-sync up to and including 0.5.1. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels to reach functionality that should be restricted. The underlying weakness is classified as [CWE-862] Missing Authorization. The result is sensitive data exposure through plugin endpoints that fail to enforce capability checks.
Critical Impact
Low-privileged authenticated users can access sensitive database synchronization functionality, leading to disclosure of confidential WordPress site data.
Affected Products
- tamlyn Database Sync WordPress plugin (database-sync)
- All versions from n/a through 0.5.1
- WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-22 - CVE-2025-23486 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-23486
Vulnerability Analysis
The Database Sync plugin exposes database synchronization functionality intended for site administrators. The plugin fails to validate whether the requesting user holds the required capability before executing sensitive operations. Any authenticated user, including subscribers, can invoke the affected endpoints and retrieve information the plugin manages. This produces confidentiality impact without affecting integrity or availability, since the exposed functionality returns data rather than modifying site state or resources.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check [CWE-862] on plugin actions. The affected handlers rely on authentication alone and do not call WordPress capability functions such as current_user_can() or verify an appropriate nonce with a privileged role. As a result, the access control logic assumes any logged-in user is authorized to perform database sync operations.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires a valid WordPress account with low privileges, such as a subscriber. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request over the network to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. Because no capability check is performed, the server processes the request and returns sensitive database content. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for endpoint specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-23486
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP requests from low-privileged user sessions targeting database-sync plugin endpoints.
- Outbound responses containing database dump content originating from WordPress admin-ajax or plugin routes.
- Newly created subscriber-level accounts followed by immediate requests to plugin actions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to Database Sync plugin paths from non-administrator user IDs.
- Correlate WordPress audit logs with HTTP request logs to flag capability mismatches on plugin actions.
- Alert on responses with abnormally large payloads returned to low-privileged authenticated sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging that records user role, action, and plugin invoked.
- Forward web server, WAF, and WordPress logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation.
- Baseline normal plugin usage patterns and alert on deviations by user role.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-23486
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Database Sync plugin until a patched version is confirmed available.
- Audit WordPress user accounts and remove untrusted or dormant subscriber-level accounts.
- Rotate database credentials and WordPress secrets if exposure is suspected.
- Restrict registration on WordPress sites that do not require public account creation.
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed for the Database Sync plugin at the time of publication. Versions through 0.5.1 remain vulnerable. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates from the maintainer.
Workarounds
- Block access to Database Sync plugin endpoints at the web application firewall or reverse proxy.
- Restrict wp-admin and admin-ajax.php access by IP allowlist for administrator workflows.
- Disable public user registration under Settings > General to reduce the pool of authenticated attackers.
- Apply a virtual patch via WAF rules that enforce administrator-only access to plugin actions.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
