CVE-2025-4520 Overview
CVE-2025-4520 affects the Uncanny Automator plugin for WordPress in versions up to and including 6.4.0.2. The plugin exposes multiple AJAX functions that lack proper capability checks, allowing authenticated users with subscriber-level access or above to modify plugin settings without authorization. The flaw is categorized under [CWE-862] Missing Authorization. Because WordPress sites commonly allow open subscriber registration, the attack surface extends to any user who can create an account. Exploitation does not require elevated privileges or user interaction.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with subscriber-level access can modify Uncanny Automator plugin settings, altering automation workflows integrated with third-party services.
Affected Products
- Uncanny Automator plugin for WordPress
- All versions up to and including 6.4.0.2
- Deployments where subscriber registration is enabled
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-14 - CVE-2025-4520 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-4520
Vulnerability Analysis
The Uncanny Automator plugin registers multiple AJAX endpoints intended for administrative configuration. These endpoints validate that a request originates from an authenticated WordPress session but omit current_user_can() capability checks. As a result, any logged-in user, including those with the lowest subscriber role, can invoke the endpoints and update plugin settings.
The impact is limited to integrity of plugin configuration data. The confidentiality and availability sub-scores remain none, and no code execution or data disclosure occurs directly through the vulnerable functions. However, plugin settings can include integration credentials or workflow triggers connected to external services such as Keap, potentially allowing lateral impact through modified automation logic.
Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) data places the probability of exploitation activity in the low range. No public proof-of-concept, exploit code, or CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities listing is currently associated with this CVE.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check within multiple AJAX handlers registered by the plugin. WordPress AJAX actions hooked via wp_ajax_{action} are accessible to any authenticated user unless the handler explicitly enforces a capability check. The Uncanny Automator handlers rely on nonce validation alone, which does not restrict access based on role.
Attack Vector
An attacker authenticates to the target WordPress site using any valid account, including a self-registered subscriber account. The attacker then issues an HTTP POST request to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php targeting one of the vulnerable Uncanny Automator actions, supplying a valid nonce obtained from an accessible page. The server processes the request and updates plugin configuration without verifying administrative privileges. Referenced source code is available in the WordPress Plugin Code Reference and the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-4520
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to Uncanny Automator settings, integrations, or recipe configurations without corresponding administrative activity.
- Requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with Uncanny Automator action parameters originating from low-privilege user sessions.
- New or unfamiliar subscriber accounts created shortly before configuration changes.
Detection Strategies
- Review WordPress audit logs for AJAX calls invoking Uncanny Automator actions from non-administrator users.
- Compare the current plugin configuration against a known-good baseline to identify unauthorized modifications.
- Correlate authentication events for subscriber-tier accounts with subsequent administrative-style requests.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress activity logging plugins that capture user role, action, and timestamp for every AJAX invocation.
- Forward web server access logs to a centralized log platform and alert on subscriber accounts hitting admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific actions.
- Monitor outbound traffic to integrated third-party services (for example, Keap) for configuration or credential changes.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-4520
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade the Uncanny Automator plugin to a version later than 6.4.0.2 as soon as a patched release is available from the vendor.
- Audit existing WordPress user accounts and remove unused or unrecognized subscriber-level accounts.
- Review Uncanny Automator recipes and integration settings for unauthorized modifications and revert any suspicious changes.
Patch Information
The Wordfence Vulnerability Report tracks patch availability for this issue. Administrators should apply the vendor-provided update that introduces capability checks on the affected AJAX handlers.
Workarounds
- Disable open user registration in WordPress settings if it is not required by the site.
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php at the web application firewall (WAF) layer for non-administrative accounts where feasible.
- Deactivate the Uncanny Automator plugin until an updated version is installed if the site handles sensitive integrations.
# Disable open registration via WP-CLI
wp option update users_can_register 0
# List active plugins to confirm Uncanny Automator status
wp plugin list --status=active
# Deactivate the plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate uncanny-automator
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
