CVE-2025-48275 Overview
CVE-2025-48275 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] affecting the dastan800 Visual Header WordPress plugin. The flaw stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels in plugin functionality. Versions from n/a through <= 1.3 are affected.
Unauthenticated attackers can reach protected functions over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation permits limited modification of plugin data and can impact site availability. The vulnerability does not expose confidential information but weakens the integrity boundary that separates administrators from anonymous users.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can invoke restricted plugin actions on WordPress sites running Visual Header 1.3 or earlier, undermining administrative access controls.
Affected Products
- dastan800 Visual Header WordPress plugin — versions through 1.3
- WordPress sites with visual-header plugin installed and active
- Any hosting environment exposing the vulnerable plugin endpoints to the network
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-05-23 - CVE-2025-48275 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-48275
Vulnerability Analysis
The Visual Header plugin exposes functionality that should require an authenticated administrative session. The plugin fails to verify the caller's role or capability before executing sensitive actions. This design gap falls under the Broken Access Control category tracked by CWE-862.
Attackers reach the vulnerable endpoints directly over HTTP or HTTPS. The attack requires no credentials, no user interaction, and no elevated privileges. The scope remains unchanged, so exploitation stays within the WordPress application context.
The impact profile shows no confidentiality loss, limited integrity impact, and limited availability impact. Attackers cannot read sensitive data, but they can alter plugin state or trigger conditions that affect site rendering.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing authorization checks on AJAX handlers or REST routes registered by the plugin. WordPress plugins must call current_user_can() and validate a nonce before performing state-changing operations. Visual Header 1.3 and earlier omit one or both of these controls on at least one handler.
Attack Vector
An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint on a target WordPress site. Because no authentication is required, automated scanners can enumerate affected sites and issue the request at scale. Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for endpoint specifics.
No verified proof-of-concept code is publicly available at this time.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-48275
Indicators of Compromise
- Unauthenticated POST or GET requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php or wp-json routes registered by the visual-header plugin.
- Unexpected modifications to Visual Header plugin settings or options in wp_options.
- Anomalous header content or injected markup rendered by the plugin on public pages.
Detection Strategies
- Inventory WordPress sites and identify installations of visual-header at version 1.3 or earlier.
- Review web server access logs for requests targeting Visual Header AJAX or REST endpoints from unauthenticated sessions.
- Compare current plugin configuration against a known-good baseline to catch unauthorized changes.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on HTTP requests to plugin endpoints that lack a valid WordPress authentication cookie.
- Monitor wp_options and plugin-specific database tables for unexpected writes.
- Track outbound and rendered content changes on pages using the Visual Header plugin.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-48275
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the Visual Header plugin and confirm the installed version.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin on any site running version 1.3 or earlier until a patched release is confirmed.
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and REST routes for the plugin using a web application firewall rule.
Patch Information
At the time of NVD publication, the advisory lists affected versions through <= 1.3 with no fixed version specified. Consult the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for updated remediation guidance and monitor the WordPress plugin repository for a security release.
Workarounds
- Disable the Visual Header plugin until a patched version is published.
- Deploy WAF rules that block unauthenticated requests to Visual Header AJAX and REST endpoints.
- Enforce IP allow-listing on /wp-admin/ and administrative REST routes where operationally feasible.
# Configuration example - disable the plugin via WP-CLI on affected hosts
wp plugin deactivate visual-header --all-hosts
wp plugin delete visual-header --all-hosts
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
