CVE-2025-68087 Overview
CVE-2025-68087 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the Modalier for Elementor WordPress plugin (modalier-elementor) developed by merkulove. The flaw affects all versions from initial release through 1.0.6. Attackers with low-privileged authenticated access can exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels to perform actions outside their intended permission scope. The weakness is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization. The plugin extends the Elementor page builder and is deployed on WordPress sites for modal window functionality.
Critical Impact
Authenticated users with minimal privileges can bypass access control checks to read or modify data restricted to higher-privileged roles, compromising confidentiality and integrity of WordPress site content.
Affected Products
- merkulove Modalier for Elementor plugin (modalier-elementor) versions up to and including 1.0.6
- WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin
- Sites using Elementor with the Modalier extension
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-12-16 - CVE-2025-68087 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-68087
Vulnerability Analysis
The Modalier for Elementor plugin exposes functionality without properly verifying that the requesting user holds the required capability or role. The plugin registers endpoints or AJAX actions that execute privileged operations but omit capability checks such as current_user_can() or nonce validation tied to authorization state. An authenticated user with a low-privileged role, such as Subscriber or Contributor, can invoke these endpoints and trigger actions intended for administrators or editors.
The vulnerability produces limited confidentiality and integrity impact without affecting availability. Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress site and valid low-privileged credentials, and does not require user interaction.
Root Cause
The root cause is an authorization check gap on plugin-provided endpoints. The plugin trusts authentication as sufficient and does not enforce role or capability constraints on sensitive operations. This aligns with CWE-862, where the software does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.
Attack Vector
An attacker registers or compromises a low-privileged WordPress account on a target site running modalier-elementor version 1.0.6 or earlier. The attacker then issues HTTP requests to the unprotected plugin endpoints, invoking functions that should be restricted to administrators. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for technical details.
No verified proof-of-concept code has been published. The vulnerability is described in prose here because no realCodeExamples were provided by upstream advisories.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-68087
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected HTTP POST or GET requests from Subscriber or Contributor accounts to plugin-specific endpoints under /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php referencing Modalier actions
- Modifications to plugin settings, modal content, or Elementor templates performed by non-administrative accounts
- Newly registered low-privileged accounts followed by unusual admin-ajax activity targeting modalier-elementor handlers
Detection Strategies
- Review WordPress access logs for admin-ajax.php requests carrying Modalier action parameters originating from non-privileged user sessions
- Correlate WordPress user role data with request activity to identify capability mismatches
- Enable WordPress audit logging plugins to record option changes, post modifications, and setting updates performed via plugin endpoints
Monitoring Recommendations
- Track outbound and inbound traffic patterns to the WordPress admin interface for anomalous authenticated requests
- Alert on privilege-context anomalies where low-privileged accounts trigger administrative actions
- Ingest web server and application logs into a centralized log platform for retention and correlation across authentication and request telemetry
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-68087
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the Modalier for Elementor plugin to a version later than 1.0.6 once the vendor publishes a fix
- Audit all low-privileged WordPress accounts and remove any that are unnecessary or unrecognized
- Disable open user registration if not required for site operation
Patch Information
At the time of publication, versions up to and including 1.0.6 are affected. Consult the Patchstack advisory for the latest fixed version information and vendor guidance.
Workarounds
- Deactivate the Modalier for Elementor plugin until a patched version is released and verified
- Restrict access to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php at the web application firewall or reverse proxy layer for plugin-specific actions
- Enforce least-privilege role assignment and remove Subscriber-level self-registration where feasible
# Configuration example: disable open registration and deactivate the plugin via WP-CLI
wp option update users_can_register 0
wp plugin deactivate modalier-elementor
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
