CVE-2025-58246 Overview
CVE-2025-58246 is a Sensitive Data Exposure vulnerability affecting WordPress Core that allows authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges to retrieve embedded sensitive data. The vulnerability exists due to improper handling of sensitive information in sent data, classified under CWE-201 (Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data).
The WordPress Core security team has acknowledged this issue and has released security patches. While this vulnerability requires authentication and contributor-level access, it still presents a risk to multi-author WordPress sites where lower-privileged users could potentially access sensitive information they shouldn't have access to.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers with contributor-level privileges can retrieve embedded sensitive data from WordPress installations, potentially exposing confidential information across affected WordPress versions spanning from 4.7 through 6.8.2.
Affected Products
- WordPress 6.8 through 6.8.2
- WordPress 6.7 through 6.7.3
- WordPress 6.6 through 6.6.3
- WordPress 6.5 through 6.5.6
- WordPress 6.4 through 6.4.6
- WordPress 6.3 through 6.3.6
- WordPress 6.2 through 6.2.7
- WordPress 6.1 through 6.1.8
- WordPress 6.0 through 6.0.10
- WordPress 5.9 through 5.9.11
- WordPress 5.8 through 5.8.11
- WordPress 5.7 through 5.7.13
- WordPress 5.6 through 5.6.15
- WordPress 5.5 through 5.5.16
- WordPress 5.4 through 5.4.17
- WordPress 5.3 through 5.3.19
- WordPress 5.2 through 5.2.22
- WordPress 5.1 through 5.1.20
- WordPress 5.0 through 5.0.23
- WordPress 4.9 through 4.9.27
- WordPress 4.8 through 4.8.26
- WordPress 4.7 through 4.7.30
Discovery Timeline
- September 23, 2025 - CVE-2025-58246 published to NVD
- October 1, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-58246
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability falls under CWE-201: Insertion of Sensitive Information Into Sent Data. The flaw allows authenticated users with contributor-level privileges to access sensitive information that should be restricted to higher-privileged users. The vulnerability requires network access and authentication, but exploitation complexity is low once the attacker has valid contributor credentials.
The attack can be executed remotely over the network without user interaction. Due to the authentication requirement and limited impact scope (confidentiality only, with no integrity or availability impact), this vulnerability is considered low severity by the WordPress security team despite affecting a wide range of WordPress versions.
Root Cause
The vulnerability stems from WordPress Core improperly including sensitive information in data responses sent to users with contributor-level privileges. This represents a failure in data access control where the system does not adequately filter sensitive data based on the requesting user's permission level. The sensitive information becomes embedded in responses that should contain only authorized data for the contributor role.
Attack Vector
The attack requires an authenticated session with at least contributor-level privileges on the target WordPress installation. An attacker would first need to gain valid credentials (either through compromised accounts, social engineering, or legitimate contributor access) and then leverage specific WordPress functionality to extract sensitive data that should be restricted to administrators or editors.
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network. Since many WordPress sites have multiple contributors or authors, this creates an insider threat scenario where lower-privileged users can access data beyond their authorization level.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-58246
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual API requests or data access patterns from contributor-level user accounts
- Audit logs showing contributors accessing restricted content or data endpoints
- Anomalous activity patterns from accounts that typically have limited engagement
- Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized data access in web server logs
Detection Strategies
- Monitor WordPress audit logs for contributor-level users accessing admin-only data or endpoints
- Implement user behavior analytics to detect unusual data access patterns from lower-privileged accounts
- Review web application firewall (WAF) logs for suspicious request patterns targeting sensitive data endpoints
- Enable detailed logging for all authenticated user actions and regularly audit contributor activities
Monitoring Recommendations
- Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Platform to monitor WordPress file system and process activity for anomalous behavior
- Implement log aggregation and analysis for WordPress authentication and data access events
- Configure alerts for unusual data volume requests from contributor accounts
- Enable WordPress security plugins with activity logging capabilities
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-58246
Immediate Actions Required
- Update WordPress to version 6.8.3 or the latest patched version for your branch immediately
- Audit all contributor and author accounts to verify legitimate access requirements
- Review user permissions and remove unnecessary contributor-level accounts
- Enable enhanced logging to monitor for potential exploitation attempts
Patch Information
WordPress has released version 6.8.3 which addresses this vulnerability. Security patches are available for all affected branches. Site administrators should update to the latest patched version corresponding to their WordPress branch. For detailed information about the security release, refer to the WordPress News Release 6.8.3. Additional vulnerability details are available in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Workarounds
- Temporarily demote contributor accounts to subscriber level until patching is complete
- Implement additional access controls at the web server or WAF level to restrict sensitive endpoints
- Review and restrict unnecessary user account permissions across the WordPress installation
- Consider implementing IP-based restrictions for administrative and contributor access if patching cannot be performed immediately
# Configuration example - Update WordPress via WP-CLI
wp core update
wp core verify-checksums
# Alternatively, check current version and available updates
wp core version
wp core check-update
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
