CVE-2025-49997 Overview
CVE-2025-49997 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Giveaways and Contests by RafflePress plugin for WordPress, developed by Syed Balkhi. The flaw permits unauthenticated network attackers to access plugin functionality that is not properly constrained by access control lists (ACLs). The issue affects all versions up to and including 1.12.18. Successful exploitation leads to a limited integrity impact without affecting confidentiality or availability.
Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can invoke plugin functionality that should be restricted, enabling tampering with contest or giveaway data on affected WordPress sites.
Affected Products
- Giveaways and Contests by RafflePress (WordPress plugin) versions up to and including 1.12.18
- WordPress sites running the vulnerable RafflePress plugin
- Syed Balkhi RafflePress deployments across supported WordPress environments
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-06-20 - CVE-2025-49997 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-49997
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a Broken Access Control flaw in the RafflePress plugin. One or more plugin endpoints lack authorization checks that verify whether the requesting user has permission to invoke a given action. Attackers can send crafted HTTP requests to these endpoints and reach functionality intended for privileged users. The impact is scoped to integrity, meaning attackers can modify plugin-managed state such as giveaway entries or configuration values exposed through the affected routes. Confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, and no user interaction or authentication is required. The EPSS probability is 0.265% (percentile 17.973), indicating a low but non-zero likelihood of near-term exploitation attempts.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing authorization enforcement [CWE-862] on plugin actions. The affected handlers do not call WordPress capability checks such as current_user_can() or validate nonces before performing privileged operations. Because WordPress plugins typically expose functionality through admin-ajax.php, REST API routes, or admin-post handlers, any endpoint registered without proper guards becomes reachable by anonymous callers.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or user interaction. An attacker sends HTTP POST or GET requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint on a WordPress site running RafflePress <= 1.12.18. Because authorization checks are absent, the plugin processes the request and executes the associated action. Refer to the Patchstack RafflePress Vulnerability advisory for endpoint-level technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49997
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to RafflePress giveaway entries, winners, or plugin settings without a corresponding administrator login.
- HTTP requests to RafflePress AJAX or REST endpoints originating from unauthenticated sessions or unusual IP addresses.
- New or altered contest entries created outside of legitimate user flows.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server access logs for requests to admin-ajax.php or /wp-json/ routes referencing rafflepress actions without an authenticated session cookie.
- Compare the installed RafflePress plugin version against 1.12.18 using WordPress inventory tooling.
- Correlate WordPress audit log events for plugin option changes with the absence of a corresponding admin authentication event.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable a WordPress activity logging plugin to track plugin option and post metadata changes tied to RafflePress.
- Forward web server and WordPress logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for correlation and retention.
- Alert on spikes in anonymous POST traffic to plugin-specific AJAX actions.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49997
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Giveaways and Contests by RafflePress plugin to a version later than 1.12.18 as soon as the vendor releases a fixed build.
- Audit RafflePress configuration, entries, and winners for unauthorized modifications since the plugin was installed.
- Restrict access to WordPress administrative endpoints using a web application firewall (WAF) rule set.
Patch Information
Consult the Patchstack RafflePress Vulnerability advisory for the vendor-supplied fixed version and remediation guidance. Apply the patched release through the WordPress plugin updater or by replacing the plugin directory with the fixed package.
Workarounds
- Deactivate and remove the RafflePress plugin until a patched version is deployed if the plugin is not essential.
- Deploy WAF rules that block unauthenticated requests to RafflePress AJAX and REST endpoints.
- Limit access to /wp-admin/ and admin-ajax.php by source IP where feasible to reduce the attack surface.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
