CVE-2025-58029: Classic Widgets Authorization Bypass Flaw

CVE-2025-58029 Overview

CVE-2025-58029 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability [CWE-862] in the Sumit Singh Classic Widgets with Block-based Widgets plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.0.1. Attackers can access plugin functionality that is not properly constrained by Access Control Lists (ACLs). The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without authentication or user interaction. Successful exploitation leads to limited integrity impact on the affected WordPress site.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated attackers can invoke plugin functions that should be restricted to authorized users, allowing modification of widget configurations on affected WordPress sites.

Affected Products

Sumit Singh Classic Widgets with Block-based Widgets plugin for WordPress
All versions from initial release through 1.0.1
WordPress installations with the classic-widgets-with-block-based-widgets plugin active

Discovery Timeline

2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-58029 published to NVD
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-58029

Vulnerability Analysis

The Classic Widgets with Block-based Widgets plugin exposes functionality without enforcing proper authorization checks. The plugin fails to verify user capabilities or authentication state before executing sensitive operations. This is a classic Broken Access Control weakness categorized under [CWE-862] Missing Authorization.

The attack surface is reachable over HTTP(S) from any network-connected client. No credentials are required, and no user interaction is needed to trigger the vulnerable code path. The scope of impact is limited to integrity, meaning attackers can modify plugin-controlled data but cannot directly extract confidential information or take the site offline.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in the plugin's handler functions omitting standard WordPress authorization primitives such as current_user_can() capability checks and check_ajax_referer() or wp_verify_nonce() validations. Without these gates, any HTTP request reaching the plugin's endpoints executes the underlying logic regardless of the requester's identity or role.

Attack Vector

An unauthenticated remote attacker sends crafted HTTP requests directly to the plugin's exposed endpoints, typically the WordPress admin-ajax.php handler or a REST route registered by the plugin. Because authorization is missing, the server processes the request as if it came from a privileged user. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details on the affected endpoint.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58029

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected modifications to widget configurations or plugin-managed options in the WordPress database
HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php referencing plugin actions from unauthenticated sessions
Access log entries hitting plugin REST routes without a valid X-WP-Nonce header or authentication cookie
Presence of the vulnerable plugin classic-widgets-with-block-based-widgets at version 1.0.1 or earlier

Detection Strategies

Inventory all WordPress installations and identify sites running the affected plugin at version 1.0.1 or below
Review web server access logs for anonymous requests targeting plugin endpoints during off-hours
Compare current widget and plugin option values against known-good baselines to identify tampering

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable WordPress activity logging plugins to capture option and widget changes with attribution
Forward web server logs to a centralized log platform and alert on anonymous POSTs to plugin action names
Monitor file integrity on the wp-content/plugins/classic-widgets-with-block-based-widgets/ directory

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58029

Immediate Actions Required

Deactivate the Classic Widgets with Block-based Widgets plugin until a patched version is available
Restrict access to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php and the WordPress REST API from untrusted sources at the WAF layer
Audit widget and plugin settings for unauthorized modifications and restore from known-good backups if tampering is confirmed

Patch Information

At the time of publication, no fixed version beyond 1.0.1 is listed in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report. Site administrators should monitor the plugin's repository for an updated release and apply it immediately upon availability.

Workarounds

Remove the plugin entirely if widget block compatibility is not a business requirement
Deploy a Web Application Firewall rule blocking anonymous requests to the plugin's specific AJAX actions and REST routes
Enforce IP allowlisting on /wp-admin/ paths so only administrators can reach plugin management endpoints

bash

# Example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate classic-widgets-with-block-based-widgets
wp plugin delete classic-widgets-with-block-based-widgets