CVE-2025-32226 Overview
CVE-2025-32226 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Anzar Ahmed Display product variations dropdown on shop page WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.1.3. Authenticated attackers with low-level privileges can exploit incorrectly configured access control checks to perform actions beyond their intended permissions. The issue is network exploitable and requires no user interaction. It results in limited integrity impact on the affected WordPress site.
Critical Impact
Authenticated users with minimal privileges can bypass access controls and invoke plugin functionality that should be restricted, enabling unauthorized modifications on WooCommerce shop pages.
Affected Products
- Anzar Ahmed Display product variations dropdown on shop page plugin
- All versions from n/a through 1.1.3
- WordPress sites running WooCommerce with this plugin installed
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-04-04 - CVE-2025-32226 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-32226
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from missing authorization checks on plugin functionality exposed to authenticated WordPress users. The plugin fails to validate whether the current user holds sufficient capabilities before executing privileged actions. Attackers exploit this by sending crafted requests to the plugin's endpoints while authenticated as a low-privileged account such as Subscriber or Customer.
Broken access control in WordPress plugins typically results from missing current_user_can() capability checks or absent nonce verification within AJAX and admin-post handlers. The plugin adds a product variations dropdown to WooCommerce shop pages, and its administrative or configuration endpoints lack proper capability enforcement.
The EPSS score of 0.422% reflects a low current probability of exploitation attempts in the wild. However, the pattern is common in WordPress plugin ecosystems and often chained with additional flaws.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization. The plugin exposes callable functions or REST endpoints without verifying the requesting user's role or capability. WordPress requires developers to explicitly invoke capability checks; when omitted, any authenticated session can trigger the underlying logic.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the target WordPress site and a valid authenticated session with minimal privileges. An attacker registers or uses an existing low-privileged account, then issues HTTP requests directly to vulnerable plugin endpoints. No user interaction from an administrator is required. Successful exploitation yields limited integrity impact, allowing unauthorized state changes to plugin-controlled data. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for endpoint-specific technical details.
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Stop Identity AttacksDetection Methods for CVE-2025-32226
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or plugin-specific endpoints originating from Subscriber or Customer accounts.
- Unauthorized modifications to WooCommerce product variation display settings without corresponding administrator activity.
- Newly registered low-privileged accounts followed by requests targeting the display-product-variations-dropdown-on-shop-page plugin path.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor WordPress access logs for authenticated requests to plugin endpoints from users lacking administrative roles.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule set that flags requests matching the vulnerable plugin's action parameters.
- Correlate WooCommerce configuration change events with the initiating user's capability level.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging to record capability checks, role changes, and plugin settings modifications.
- Alert on any HTTP 200 responses returned to low-privileged sessions calling privileged plugin actions.
- Track plugin version inventory across WordPress deployments to identify sites still running 1.1.3 or earlier.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-32226
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Display product variations dropdown on shop page plugin to a patched version above 1.1.3 once released by the vendor.
- If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin from all WordPress installations.
- Audit existing user accounts and revoke unnecessary low-privilege accounts that could be used for exploitation.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the Patchstack advisory confirms the flaw affects versions through 1.1.3. Site administrators should monitor the plugin's WordPress.org repository page for a fixed release and apply updates through the WordPress admin interface.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoints associated with the plugin using web application firewall rules.
- Disable open user registration on WordPress sites to limit the pool of authenticated attackers.
- Apply the principle of least privilege by ensuring only trusted accounts hold roles above Subscriber.
# Disable open WordPress user registration via wp-cli
wp option update users_can_register 0
# Deactivate the vulnerable plugin until a patch is available
wp plugin deactivate display-product-variations-dropdown-on-shop-page
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
