CVE-2025-3701: Malcure Scanner Authorization Bypass Flaw

CVE-2025-3701 Overview

CVE-2025-3701 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Malcure Malware Scanner WordPress plugin (wp-malware-removal) developed by Malcure Web Security. The flaw affects all plugin versions from an unspecified initial release through version 16.8. Authenticated users with low privileges can exploit incorrectly configured access control checks to reach functionality that should require elevated permissions.

Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with low-privilege WordPress accounts can bypass authorization checks in the Malcure Malware Scanner plugin, leading to limited integrity impact on affected WordPress installations.

Affected Products

Malcure Web Security Malcure Malware Scanner (wp-malware-removal)
Plugin versions from n/a through <= 16.8
WordPress installations running vulnerable plugin builds

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-03 - CVE-2025-3701 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-3701

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from broken access control in the Malcure Malware Scanner plugin. The plugin exposes actions or endpoints that fail to verify the caller's capability or role before executing sensitive operations. WordPress plugins typically enforce authorization through current_user_can() checks combined with nonce validation. Missing or misconfigured checks allow lower-privileged authenticated users to invoke functionality reserved for administrators.

Exploitation requires an authenticated session with any low-privilege role such as Subscriber or Contributor. The attack path is network-based and does not require user interaction. Successful exploitation results in limited integrity impact, with no direct confidentiality or availability consequences documented for this specific flaw.

Root Cause

The root cause is a Missing Authorization weakness [CWE-862]. Sensitive plugin actions do not consistently validate the requesting user's WordPress capabilities before proceeding. This design gap allows access control levels to be bypassed simply by authenticating with any valid account on the target site.

Attack Vector

An attacker first obtains any authenticated account on the target WordPress site, for example through open registration or credential compromise. The attacker then issues crafted HTTP requests to the plugin's exposed endpoints. Because authorization is not enforced correctly, the plugin processes the requests as though they came from a privileged user. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for endpoint-specific details.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available at this time. The vulnerability mechanism is described in prose based on the CWE-862 classification and the Patchstack advisory metadata.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-3701

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected POST or GET requests to Malcure Malware Scanner plugin endpoints originating from non-administrator accounts
WordPress audit log entries showing plugin actions executed by Subscriber, Contributor, or Author roles
Modifications to Malcure scanner settings, scan schedules, or quarantine data not initiated by an administrator
New or unexpected accounts with elevated permissions created shortly after plugin requests

Detection Strategies

Enable a WordPress activity logging plugin and alert on privileged plugin operations tied to low-privilege user IDs
Monitor web server access logs for authenticated requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and wp-admin/admin-post.php referencing Malcure actions
Review installed plugin versions across the estate and flag any Malcure Malware Scanner instance at version 16.8 or earlier

Monitoring Recommendations

Correlate authenticated session activity with plugin capability changes to catch authorization bypass attempts
Track EPSS trend data for CVE-2025-3701 to reassess exposure as exploit likelihood evolves
Alert on repeated requests to plugin endpoints from newly registered accounts within short time windows

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-3701

Immediate Actions Required

Inventory all WordPress sites running the Malcure Malware Scanner plugin and identify installations at version 16.8 or earlier
Restrict user registration on public-facing WordPress sites until the plugin is updated or removed
Rotate credentials for any low-privilege accounts on sites exposed to untrusted users
Review recent plugin activity logs for signs of unauthorized access

Patch Information

A fixed release beyond version 16.8 should be applied once available from the vendor. Consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the current patched version and vendor guidance. No vendor advisory URL is listed in the NVD record at this time.

Workarounds

Deactivate and remove the Malcure Malware Scanner plugin until a patched version is installed
Disable open user registration in WordPress general settings to reduce the pool of authenticated attackers
Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks requests to Malcure plugin endpoints from non-administrator sessions
Enforce least-privilege role assignments and audit existing accounts for unnecessary permissions

bash

# Disable open user registration via WP-CLI
wp option update users_can_register 0

# Deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate wp-malware-removal

# List installed plugins and versions to confirm removal
wp plugin list --status=active