CVE-2025-57902 Overview
CVE-2025-57902 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability affecting the RIS Version Switcher WordPress plugin developed by Md Taufiqur Rahman. The plugin, marketed as RIS Version Switcher – Downgrade or Upgrade WP Versions Easily, permits attackers to trick authenticated users into performing unintended WordPress version changes. The issue affects all plugin versions from initial release through version 1.0. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352 and requires user interaction to succeed.
Critical Impact
An attacker who convinces an authenticated administrator to click a crafted link can force WordPress core version changes, potentially downgrading the site to a vulnerable release or breaking site integrity.
Affected Products
- RIS Version Switcher – Downgrade or Upgrade WP Versions Easily plugin for WordPress
- All plugin versions up to and including 1.0
- WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin activated
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-57902 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-57902
Vulnerability Analysis
The RIS Version Switcher plugin exposes administrative functionality that changes the running WordPress core version. The plugin fails to validate the origin of state-changing requests. Specifically, it does not verify a WordPress nonce or equivalent anti-CSRF token before executing the version switch operation.
An attacker can host a malicious page containing a crafted request targeting the plugin endpoint. When an authenticated WordPress administrator visits the page, the browser automatically transmits session cookies with the forged request. The plugin then processes the request as if the administrator initiated it and performs the version change action.
The integrity impact is high because forcing a WordPress core downgrade reintroduces previously patched vulnerabilities. Attackers can chain this flaw with known WordPress core CVEs to gain further access. Confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, but downstream exploitation is likely.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing CSRF protection on privileged plugin actions [CWE-352]. WordPress provides the wp_nonce_field() and check_admin_referer() functions to prevent this class of attack. The plugin developer did not implement these controls on the version-switching handler.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access and user interaction from a logged-in administrator. The attacker delivers a malicious link via phishing email, forum post, or compromised website. Once the target clicks the link while authenticated to WordPress admin, the browser submits the forged request. No authentication credentials are needed by the attacker because the victim's session performs the action.
The vulnerability mechanism relies on the browser automatically attaching authentication cookies to cross-origin requests directed at the WordPress admin interface. Without a token bound to the user session, the server cannot distinguish legitimate from forged submissions. See the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-57902
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected changes to the WordPress core version reported in the admin dashboard or version.php file
- HTTP POST or GET requests to RIS Version Switcher plugin endpoints with an external Referer header
- WordPress core files replaced or modified outside a scheduled maintenance window
- Presence of the ris-version-switcher plugin at version 1.0 or earlier in wp-content/plugins/
Detection Strategies
- Monitor web server access logs for requests to plugin admin endpoints originating from unexpected referrers
- Compare wp-includes/version.php against expected WordPress core hashes to identify unauthorized rollbacks
- Alert on plugin activity where the HTTP Origin or Referer header does not match the WordPress site domain
- Track administrator session activity for anomalous version-switching actions correlated with external navigation events
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to record plugin actions and administrator-initiated changes
- Forward web server and PHP logs to a centralized log aggregation platform for correlation
- Configure alerts on file integrity monitoring for changes to WordPress core files
- Review administrator login and activity patterns for evidence of social engineering attempts preceding version changes
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-57902
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the RIS Version Switcher plugin until a patched version is released
- Audit wp-includes/version.php and WordPress core files to confirm the intended version is running
- Restrict WordPress administrator accounts and enforce the principle of least privilege
- Train administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links while authenticated to WordPress admin
Patch Information
No fixed version has been published in the NVD entry at the time of writing. The vulnerability affects all releases up to and including 1.0. Site operators should monitor the Patchstack advisory and the plugin repository for a patched release.
Workarounds
- Remove the plugin entirely if version switching is not a business requirement
- Deploy a web application firewall (WAF) rule to block requests to the plugin endpoints lacking a valid same-origin Referer header
- Enforce SameSite=Strict cookie attributes on the WordPress admin session to reduce cross-origin request risk
- Require administrators to use a dedicated browser profile for WordPress management to limit cross-site exposure
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
