CVE-2025-54695 Overview
CVE-2025-54695 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the DevItems HT Mega plugin for Elementor on WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 2.9.0. The plugin exposes functionality without properly verifying the privilege level of the calling user, allowing authenticated users with low-level accounts to invoke actions they should not be able to reach.
Exploitation requires network access and valid low-privilege credentials. No user interaction is needed. Successful abuse can result in limited impact to integrity and availability of the WordPress site.
Critical Impact
Authenticated low-privilege users can trigger plugin actions outside their intended permission scope, leading to unauthorized modifications on sites running HT Mega for Elementor through version 2.9.0.
Affected Products
- DevItems HT Mega for Elementor plugin for WordPress
- All versions from unspecified initial release through 2.9.0
- WordPress sites with the plugin installed and activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-14 - CVE-2025-54695 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-54695
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from incorrectly configured access control on plugin endpoints or AJAX actions exposed by HT Mega for Elementor. The plugin registers callable handlers but fails to enforce proper capability checks before executing privileged logic. Attackers with any authenticated session, including Subscriber-level accounts, can invoke those handlers.
The plugin extends Elementor with widgets, templates, and site-building features. Several of these features are intended to be restricted to users with editing capabilities. Without current_user_can() checks or nonce validation tied to privileged roles, the handlers accept requests from accounts that should lack access.
The scope is limited. Confidentiality is not affected, while integrity and availability see low impact. The attacker cannot gain full administrative control through this flaw alone but can modify or disrupt plugin-controlled state.
Root Cause
The root cause is a missing authorization check [CWE-862]. Plugin action handlers execute their logic without verifying that the requesting user holds the capability required for that action. Role gating is either absent or incorrectly configured, so WordPress treats any authenticated request as valid.
Attack Vector
An attacker first obtains an authenticated session on the target WordPress site. On sites that allow open registration, this is trivial. The attacker then issues an HTTP request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, typically through admin-ajax.php or a REST route exposed by HT Mega. Because the handler does not enforce authorization, the request succeeds and the intended privileged action is performed.
See the PatchStack Vulnerability Report for additional technical context.
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Stop Identity AttacksDetection Methods for CVE-2025-54695
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected POST requests to admin-ajax.php with HT Mega action parameters from accounts holding Subscriber or Contributor roles
- Modifications to Elementor templates, widgets, or plugin options without a corresponding administrator session
- Spikes in authenticated AJAX traffic from newly registered user accounts
Detection Strategies
- Review WordPress audit logs for plugin actions performed by non-editor accounts
- Correlate web server access logs with WordPress role data to identify low-privilege users invoking privileged endpoints
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall rule to flag HT Mega AJAX actions originating from sessions without edit_posts capability
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor the WordPress user registration rate and alert on surges that coincide with plugin action requests
- Track changes to Elementor-managed content and plugin configuration tables for unauthorized edits
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and retention
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-54695
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade HT Mega for Elementor to a release later than 2.9.0 once the vendor publishes a patched version
- Disable the plugin on sites where an updated version is not yet available and the feature is non-essential
- Disable open user registration or restrict the default role to minimize the pool of authenticated attackers
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects HT Mega for Elementor through version 2.9.0. Site administrators should consult the PatchStack Vulnerability Report and the plugin changelog for the fixed release number and update accordingly through the WordPress plugin manager.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php for unauthenticated and low-privilege sessions using WAF rules
- Audit existing user accounts and remove dormant or suspicious low-privilege users
- Apply least-privilege role assignments and avoid granting elevated capabilities to accounts that do not require them
# Example WAF rule concept to block HT Mega AJAX actions from low-privilege sessions
# Adjust action names to match the vulnerable handlers identified in the advisory
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" \
"chain,deny,status:403,id:1005495,msg:'Block HT Mega action from low-priv session'"
SecRule ARGS:action "@rx ^htmega_" \
"chain"
SecRule REQUEST_COOKIES:/wordpress_logged_in_/ "@rx .*" \
"t:none"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
