CVE-2026-25348: Alt Text AI Authorization Bypass Flaw

CVE-2026-25348 Overview

CVE-2026-25348 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) affecting the Download Alt Text AI WordPress plugin (alttext-ai). The vulnerability allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially enabling unauthorized actions against the affected WordPress installations.

This broken access control vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization checks within the plugin, allowing unauthenticated or low-privileged users to access functionality that should be restricted to administrators or authorized users.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit missing authorization checks to perform unauthorized actions, potentially compromising website integrity and availability.

Affected Products

• Download Alt Text AI WordPress Plugin versions through 1.10.15
• WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of the alttext-ai plugin

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-19 - CVE-2026-25348 published to NVD
• 2026-02-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25348

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), a common weakness where the software does not perform authorization checks when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. In the context of the Download Alt Text AI plugin, the application fails to verify that a user has sufficient privileges before allowing access to sensitive functionality.

The network-based attack vector allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication. The vulnerability can be exploited with low complexity, meaning no special conditions or technical expertise are needed for successful exploitation. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidential information or allow data modification, it can impact the availability of the affected system.

Root Cause

The root cause is a failure to implement proper authorization checks within the plugin's code paths. WordPress plugins are expected to verify user capabilities using functions like current_user_can() before executing privileged operations. The absence of these checks allows unauthorized users to invoke restricted functionality.

This type of broken access control typically occurs when:

• AJAX handlers lack capability checks
• REST API endpoints are not properly protected
• Administrative functions are accessible without nonce verification
• User role validation is missing from critical operations

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication or user interaction. An attacker can craft requests to the vulnerable endpoints directly, bypassing the expected access control mechanisms.

The attack flow typically involves:

1. Identifying exposed endpoints within the alttext-ai plugin
2. Crafting HTTP requests to these endpoints without proper authorization tokens
3. Executing privileged operations that should be restricted to administrators
4. Potentially causing denial of service or manipulating plugin functionality

For detailed technical information, see the Patchstack security advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25348

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP requests to alttext-ai plugin endpoints from unauthenticated sources
• Unusual activity patterns in WordPress access logs targeting /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with alttext-ai actions
• Plugin functionality being triggered without corresponding authenticated user sessions
• Abnormal resource consumption or service degradation related to plugin operations

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress access logs for requests to alttext-ai plugin endpoints lacking valid authentication cookies
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block unauthorized access attempts to plugin AJAX handlers
• Review server logs for patterns of repeated requests to plugin-specific actions from external IP addresses
• Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on anomalous WordPress plugin activity

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for WordPress AJAX requests and REST API calls
• Set up alerting for failed authorization attempts within WordPress security plugins
• Monitor for unusual patterns in HTTP request frequency targeting plugin endpoints
• Regularly audit plugin access logs and correlate with authenticated user sessions

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25348

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Download Alt Text AI plugin to a version newer than 1.10.15 that addresses this vulnerability
• If an update is not available, consider temporarily deactivating the plugin until a patch is released
• Review WordPress access logs for signs of exploitation
• Implement additional access controls at the WAF or server level to restrict plugin endpoint access

Patch Information

Consult the Patchstack vulnerability database for the latest patch information and updated plugin versions. Website administrators should update to a patched version as soon as one becomes available from the plugin developer.

Workarounds

• Temporarily disable the alttext-ai plugin if not critical to site operations
• Implement IP-based access restrictions to WordPress admin areas and AJAX endpoints
• Use a WordPress security plugin to add additional authorization checks
• Configure server-level rules to require authentication for plugin endpoint access
• Consider using a virtual patching solution until an official update is available

# Example: Restrict access to WordPress AJAX with .htaccess (Apache)
# Add to .htaccess in WordPress root directory

<Files admin-ajax.php>
    <RequireAll>
        Require all granted
        # Block direct unauthenticated requests to specific actions
        # Implement additional filtering as needed
    </RequireAll>
</Files>