CVE-2025-53196 Overview
CVE-2025-53196 is a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability in the Crocoblock JetEngine plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects JetEngine versions up to and including 3.7.0. Authenticated attackers with low privileges can retrieve embedded sensitive data returned in plugin responses. The weakness is classified under [CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data].
The vulnerability allows retrieval of data that the plugin embeds in outgoing responses without proper access controls. Exploitation requires network access and low-privileged authentication, with no user interaction.
Critical Impact
Authenticated low-privileged users can extract sensitive information embedded in JetEngine responses, exposing confidential site data and potentially aiding follow-on attacks.
Affected Products
- Crocoblock JetEngine plugin for WordPress
- JetEngine versions from unspecified initial release through 3.7.0
- WordPress sites using JetEngine for dynamic content, custom post types, and listings
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-20 - CVE CVE-2025-53196 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53196
Vulnerability Analysis
The JetEngine plugin embeds sensitive information into data sent to clients without enforcing sufficient authorization checks. An authenticated user with low privileges can trigger plugin functionality that returns responses containing data they should not access. This falls under [CWE-201], where sensitive data leaks through legitimate communication channels rather than through direct storage exposure.
The issue affects the plugin's response construction logic across features that render dynamic content, listings, or query results. Because JetEngine is widely deployed for building custom post types and dynamic listings on WordPress sites, the exposed data can include configuration values, internal identifiers, or content restricted to higher-privileged roles.
Exploitation preserves data integrity and site availability but breaches confidentiality. Consult the Patchstack JetEngine Vulnerability Advisory for vendor-specific technical detail.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing or inadequate authorization checks on data included in plugin responses. JetEngine assembles response payloads that contain sensitive fields but does not validate that the requesting user is entitled to view those fields. This design flaw allows any authenticated subscriber-level account to retrieve embedded values.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low-privileged authentication. An attacker registers or compromises a low-privileged account on a target WordPress site, then interacts with JetEngine endpoints that return responses embedding sensitive data. No user interaction from an administrator is required, and the attack complexity is low.
The vulnerability manifests through normal plugin request-response flows. See the Patchstack JetEngine Vulnerability Advisory for exploitation specifics.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53196
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual volume of authenticated requests from low-privileged accounts to JetEngine AJAX endpoints or REST routes.
- Response payloads returned to subscriber-level users containing fields normally restricted to editor or administrator roles.
- Newly registered low-privileged accounts followed by rapid enumeration of JetEngine-driven content.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for repeated requests to JetEngine endpoints originating from the same authenticated session.
- Compare response sizes and field content across user roles to identify oversharing of embedded data.
- Correlate account creation events with subsequent JetEngine endpoint access patterns to surface reconnaissance behavior.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose logging on WordPress REST API and admin-ajax.php calls that reference JetEngine handlers.
- Alert on subscriber or contributor accounts accessing endpoints associated with dynamic listings or custom post type queries.
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized analytics platform for role-based access anomaly detection.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53196
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade JetEngine to a version later than 3.7.0 that addresses CVE-2025-53196 as published by Crocoblock.
- Audit existing WordPress user accounts and remove or suspend unnecessary low-privileged accounts.
- Review JetEngine-driven listings and dynamic content for fields that should be restricted to higher-privileged roles.
Patch Information
Crocoblock has addressed the vulnerability in JetEngine releases after version 3.7.0. Site administrators should update through the WordPress plugin manager or via Crocoblock's official distribution channel. Confirm the installed version reports higher than 3.7.0 after updating. Refer to the Patchstack JetEngine Vulnerability Advisory for patch confirmation.
Workarounds
- Disable open user registration on WordPress sites where JetEngine is active until patching is complete.
- Restrict access to JetEngine endpoints at the web application firewall layer for non-administrative roles.
- Temporarily disable the JetEngine plugin on sites that cannot be updated immediately and do not require its functionality.
# Verify installed JetEngine version via WP-CLI
wp plugin get jet-engine --field=version
# Update JetEngine to the latest patched release
wp plugin update jet-engine
# Disable open user registration as a temporary hardening measure
wp option update users_can_register 0
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
