CVE-2025-66142: Comparimager Auth Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2025-66142 Overview

CVE-2025-66142 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability affecting the Comparimager for Elementor WordPress plugin developed by merkulove. This broken access control flaw allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially enabling unauthorized actions within WordPress installations using this plugin.

The vulnerability stems from CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), where the plugin fails to properly verify user permissions before allowing access to sensitive functionality. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in WordPress environments where plugins often handle critical site operations.

Critical Impact
Unauthorized users may be able to bypass access control mechanisms and perform actions that should be restricted to authenticated or privileged users.

Affected Products

Comparimager for Elementor plugin version 1.0.1 and earlier
WordPress installations using the affected plugin versions
Elementor page builder environments with Comparimager integration

Discovery Timeline

2026-01-22 - CVE CVE-2025-66142 published to NVD
2026-01-22 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-66142

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a broken access control issue in the Comparimager for Elementor WordPress plugin. The plugin fails to implement proper authorization checks, allowing users to bypass security controls that should restrict access to certain functionality.

Missing Authorization vulnerabilities occur when an application does not verify whether a user has permission to perform a specific action. In the context of WordPress plugins, this typically means that AJAX handlers, REST API endpoints, or administrative functions lack proper capability checks using WordPress's built-in permission system (such as current_user_can() checks).

The impact of this vulnerability depends on what functionality is exposed through the misconfigured access controls. Attackers could potentially modify plugin settings, access restricted content, or perform administrative actions without proper authentication or authorization.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-66142 is the absence of proper authorization checks within the Comparimager for Elementor plugin. WordPress plugins should implement capability checks before executing sensitive operations, but this plugin fails to verify user permissions before allowing access to protected functionality.

According to the CWE-862 classification, this occurs when software does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. The plugin likely exposes functionality through AJAX handlers or other endpoints without verifying that the requesting user has appropriate privileges.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves exploiting the missing authorization controls to access functionality that should be restricted. An attacker could potentially:

Send crafted requests to plugin endpoints that lack authorization checks
Access administrative or privileged functionality without proper authentication
Modify plugin behavior or settings without authorization
Potentially chain this vulnerability with other issues to escalate impact

Since this is a WordPress plugin vulnerability, the attack would typically be conducted over HTTP/HTTPS through the WordPress installation's web interface or REST API endpoints.

For technical details about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-66142

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual HTTP requests to WordPress AJAX endpoints (admin-ajax.php) with Comparimager-related actions from unauthenticated users
Unexpected modifications to plugin settings or configurations
Web server logs showing access to plugin-specific endpoints from unauthorized IP addresses
Changes to site content or settings that cannot be attributed to legitimate administrators

Detection Strategies

Monitor WordPress AJAX request logs for suspicious activity targeting the comparimager-elementor plugin
Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block unauthorized access attempts to plugin endpoints
Review WordPress user activity logs for actions performed without corresponding admin sessions
Conduct regular security audits of installed plugins using vulnerability scanning tools

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable comprehensive logging for WordPress admin actions and AJAX requests
Configure alerts for unauthorized access attempts to administrative functionality
Regularly review access logs for anomalous patterns targeting installed plugins
Implement integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes to plugin files or database entries

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-66142

Immediate Actions Required

Review your WordPress installation for the presence of Comparimager for Elementor plugin version 1.0.1 or earlier
Check plugin vendor and Patchstack for updated versions that address this vulnerability
Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if a patched version is not available
Review server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts
Implement Web Application Firewall rules to protect vulnerable endpoints

Patch Information

As of the publication date, organizations should monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for updates regarding patches and remediation guidance. Contact the plugin developer (merkulove) for information about security updates addressing this vulnerability.

Workarounds

Temporarily deactivate and remove the Comparimager for Elementor plugin until a patched version is available
Implement WordPress security plugins that provide additional access control monitoring
Configure WAF rules to restrict access to the plugin's AJAX handlers and endpoints
Limit WordPress administrative access to trusted IP addresses only
Enable two-factor authentication for all WordPress administrator accounts

bash

# WordPress CLI commands to check and disable the vulnerable plugin
# Check if plugin is installed and its version
wp plugin list --name=comparimager-elementor --format=table

# Temporarily deactivate the vulnerable plugin
wp plugin deactivate comparimager-elementor

# Optional: Remove the plugin entirely if not critical to site functionality
wp plugin delete comparimager-elementor