CVE-2025-24642 Overview
CVE-2025-24642 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] affecting the theme funda Setup Default Featured Image WordPress plugin (setup-default-feature-image). The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.2. Attackers can exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels to interact with plugin functionality without holding the required permissions. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network with low attack complexity and requires no authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation impacts the integrity and availability of affected WordPress sites without exposing confidential data.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can invoke plugin functionality that should require authenticated, privileged access, leading to unauthorized modification of site content on WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin.
Affected Products
- WordPress plugin setup-default-feature-image (Setup Default Featured Image) by theme funda
- All plugin versions from n/a through and including 1.2
- WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-03 - CVE-2025-24642 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-24642
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability originates from missing authorization checks within the Setup Default Featured Image WordPress plugin. Plugin endpoints do not verify whether the requesting user holds the capabilities required to execute the underlying action. This class of weakness is tracked as [CWE-862] Missing Authorization. An unauthenticated attacker can reach the affected endpoints directly over HTTP and trigger functionality that should be restricted to administrative or otherwise privileged users. The Patchstack advisory characterizes the issue as a broken access control flaw impacting plugin versions up to and including 1.2.
Root Cause
The plugin exposes actions without invoking WordPress capability checks such as current_user_can() or nonce validation via check_admin_referer() and wp_verify_nonce(). When authorization logic is absent, WordPress treats requests to the vulnerable handlers as legitimate regardless of the caller's role. Any HTTP client capable of reaching the site can therefore issue requests that alter plugin state or associated site data.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs remotely across the network. An attacker sends crafted HTTP requests to the plugin's action endpoints exposed through admin-ajax.php, admin-post.php, or a plugin-registered route. No credentials, session, or user interaction are needed. Because the impact profile shows low integrity and availability effects with no confidentiality loss, exploitation focuses on modifying site configuration or featured image assignments rather than exfiltrating sensitive data.
No verified public exploit code is available for CVE-2025-24642. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Analysis for additional technical context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24642
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated HTTP POST or GET requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or wp-admin/admin-post.php referencing actions registered by the setup-default-feature-image plugin.
- Unexpected changes to default featured image settings or post metadata associated with the plugin.
- Access log entries from unfamiliar source IP addresses hitting plugin endpoints without a preceding authenticated login flow.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress installations and flag any host running setup-default-feature-image version 1.2 or earlier.
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to plugin actions that lack authenticated session cookies or valid nonces.
- Correlate WordPress audit logs with content modification events to identify unauthorized changes tied to plugin functionality.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging plugins to capture option changes, post meta updates, and plugin action invocations.
- Alert on repeated 2xx responses to plugin endpoints from unauthenticated sessions.
- Monitor outbound requests and file integrity on the wp-content/plugins/setup-default-feature-image/ directory for tampering.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24642
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites using the Setup Default Featured Image plugin and confirm the installed version.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin if a patched version is unavailable and the functionality is not essential.
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and wp-admin/admin-post.php from untrusted networks where feasible using a web application firewall.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the Patchstack advisory records the vulnerability as affecting versions through 1.2 with no fixed version listed. Monitor the Patchstack advisory for setup-default-feature-image and the plugin's WordPress.org page for an updated release that introduces capability and nonce checks on all action handlers.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the plugin until a vendor patch enforcing proper authorization is released.
- Deploy a WAF rule that blocks unauthenticated requests targeting plugin-specific action parameters registered by setup-default-feature-image.
- Apply least privilege: limit WordPress user accounts to roles necessary for their function, reducing lateral impact from any authorization gap.
# Configuration example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate setup-default-feature-image
wp plugin delete setup-default-feature-image
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
