CVE-2025-6366 Overview
The Event List plugin for WordPress contains a privilege escalation vulnerability affecting all versions up to and including 2.0.4. The flaw resides in the el_update_profile() function, which fails to validate a user's capabilities before updating their profile. Authenticated attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher can elevate their privileges to administrator. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management.
Critical Impact
Any authenticated user, including low-privilege subscribers, can gain full administrative control over the affected WordPress site, enabling complete site takeover.
Affected Products
- Event List plugin for WordPress, all versions through 2.0.4
- WordPress sites distributing the Event List plugin via the MeUp Marketplace Events theme
- Sites permitting user registration with Subscriber-level access
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-08-26 - CVE CVE-2025-6366 published to NVD
- 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-6366
Vulnerability Analysis
The Event List plugin exposes a profile update handler that does not enforce capability checks before applying user-supplied data. The el_update_profile() function accepts profile parameters from authenticated users and writes them directly to the user record. Because the function does not restrict which profile fields a non-administrator may modify, an attacker can include the WordPress wp_capabilities meta value in the request and assign themselves the administrator role.
The attack requires only a valid authenticated session with Subscriber-level access. Once promoted to administrator, the attacker gains full control of the WordPress installation, including the ability to install plugins, modify themes, execute PHP through theme editors, and access all stored data.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing authorization logic in el_update_profile(). The function relies on authentication but omits a current_user_can() check or an allowlist of editable profile fields. WordPress stores role assignments inside the usermeta table under the wp_capabilities key, and the handler writes user-controlled input into this field without filtering.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is network-based and requires low privileges. An attacker registers or authenticates as a Subscriber, then issues a crafted profile update request to the plugin endpoint. The request includes a parameter that overwrites the user's role meta with administrator. No user interaction is required from the victim. Refer to the Wordfence Vulnerability Report for additional technical analysis.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-6366
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected role changes in the wp_usermeta table where meta_key = 'wp_capabilities' was modified for non-administrator accounts.
- HTTP POST requests to the Event List plugin profile update endpoint originating from Subscriber accounts.
- Newly created administrator accounts that previously held Subscriber or Contributor roles.
- WordPress audit log entries showing privilege changes without corresponding administrator-initiated actions.
Detection Strategies
- Audit the wp_usermeta table for users whose wp_capabilities value contains administrator but who were not created or promoted by a known administrator.
- Monitor web server access logs for POST requests to plugin endpoints containing wp_capabilities or role parameters.
- Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) rule that blocks profile update requests containing role-related parameters from non-administrative sessions.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to capture role changes and profile updates in real time.
- Forward WordPress and web server logs to a centralized SIEM for correlation and alerting on privilege escalation patterns.
- Establish baseline metrics for administrator account counts and alert on deviations.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-6366
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate and remove the Event List plugin until a patched version is confirmed available.
- Audit all WordPress user accounts and revoke administrator privileges from any account that should not hold them.
- Force a password reset for all users and invalidate active sessions.
- Disable open user registration if it is not required for site operations.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, no patched version beyond 2.0.4 has been identified in the available references. Site administrators should monitor the Wordfence Vulnerability Report and the ThemeForest plugin listing for vendor updates.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the WordPress wp-admin directory using IP allowlisting at the web server or WAF layer.
- Deploy a WAF rule that strips or blocks wp_capabilities, role, and wp_user_level parameters from non-administrator profile update requests.
- Set the WordPress default_role option to a value other than Subscriber and disable registration via update_option('users_can_register', 0) until the plugin is removed or patched.
# Disable user registration and remove the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp option update users_can_register 0
wp plugin deactivate event-list
wp plugin delete event-list
# Identify users with administrator capabilities for review
wp user list --role=administrator --fields=ID,user_login,user_email,user_registered
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
