CVE-2025-23515 Overview
CVE-2025-23515 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the ts-tree WordPress plugin by tsecher. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 0.1.1. Incorrectly configured access control security levels allow authenticated users with low privileges to perform actions that should require higher authorization. According to Patchstack, the issue enables arbitrary content deletion within affected WordPress sites. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with minimal privileges can delete arbitrary content on WordPress sites running the ts-tree plugin, disrupting site availability and integrity of managed data.
Affected Products
- tsecher ts-tree WordPress plugin versions up to and including 0.1.1
- WordPress installations with the ts-tree plugin activated
- Sites permitting low-privilege authenticated accounts (Subscriber or Contributor tiers)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-03-03 - CVE-2025-23515 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in the NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-23515
Vulnerability Analysis
The ts-tree plugin exposes functionality that modifies or deletes site content without validating whether the requesting user holds the required capability. The plugin relies on incorrectly configured access control checks, permitting authenticated users with low privileges to invoke privileged operations. Patchstack categorizes the outcome as arbitrary content deletion, meaning an attacker can remove records that should be restricted to administrators or content owners. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network by any authenticated user, requires low attack complexity, and produces a high impact on availability while leaving confidentiality and integrity of unrelated data intact.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing authorization enforcement [CWE-862] within plugin action handlers. The code path executes destructive operations without calling WordPress capability checks such as current_user_can() or verifying object ownership. Because access control is evaluated at an incorrect security level, any authenticated session satisfies the check.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires an authenticated account on the target WordPress site but no user interaction. An attacker submits a crafted HTTP request to the plugin endpoint responsible for content management. The request triggers deletion logic that skips the required privilege verification. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details on the affected endpoint.
// No verified exploit code is publicly available for CVE-2025-23515.
// See the Patchstack advisory for endpoint-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-23515
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected deletions of ts-tree managed content or associated database rows in wp_posts, wp_postmeta, or custom plugin tables
- WordPress audit log entries showing destructive plugin actions performed by Subscriber or Contributor accounts
- HTTP POST requests to ts-tree AJAX or REST endpoints originating from low-privilege sessions
Detection Strategies
- Enable a WordPress activity logging plugin and alert on content deletion events tied to non-administrator users
- Compare active plugin versions across WordPress instances against the vulnerable range up to 0.1.1
- Review web server access logs for repeated requests to ts-tree action handlers followed by content changes
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM and correlate authenticated sessions with destructive plugin actions
- Alert on any privilege mismatch where a low-privileged account performs administrative operations
- Track plugin inventory continuously to identify hosts still running vulnerable ts-tree versions
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-23515
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the ts-tree plugin and confirm the installed version
- Deactivate the ts-tree plugin on any site running version 0.1.1 or earlier until a patched release is verified
- Restrict registration and downgrade privileges for accounts that do not require content management access
- Back up the WordPress database before making changes to allow recovery from prior deletions
Patch Information
No fixed version is listed in the advisory at the time of publication. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the plugin repository for an updated release, and apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.
Workarounds
- Remove or deactivate the ts-tree plugin until a patched version is released
- Block access to plugin action endpoints at the web application firewall for non-administrator sessions
- Audit and reduce user roles so that only trusted accounts hold authenticated access
# Deactivate the vulnerable plugin using WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate ts-tree
wp plugin list --name=ts-tree --fields=name,status,version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
