CVE-2025-24736 is a medium-severity vulnerability found in the Metaphor Creations Post Duplicator plugin, which is widely used in WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from a missing authorization mechanism that enables attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. With a CVSS score of 4.3, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk to organizations that utilize affected versions of this plugin.
The vulnerability affects versions up to 2.35 of the Post Duplicator plugin. Given its nature, attackers can potentially leverage this flaw to manipulate access controls, which could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionalities within the application. Organizations using this plugin should be particularly vigilant, as the risk to organizations includes unauthorized data exposure or manipulation.
As of now, there is no known public exploit or proof of concept available for this vulnerability. However, organizations should prioritize patching this issue promptly, as the exploitation could lead to significant impacts on their security posture if left unaddressed. The urgency for defenders is high, and they should take action in their patch management cycle.
Organizations should be aware of the potential implications of this vulnerability and act swiftly to mitigate any risks associated with it.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states: "Missing Authorization vulnerability in Metaphor Creations Post Duplicator post-duplicator allows exploiting incorrectly configured access control security levels. This issue affects Post Duplicator: from n/a through <= 2.35."
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-862, which indicates an issue with improper authorization. The CVSS score of 4.3 reflects a medium severity level, indicating that while the risk is not critical, organizations need to address it in a timely manner.
The vulnerability affects the Post Duplicator plugin from Metaphor Creations, specifically versions up to 2.35. It was published on January 24, 2025, and has since been modified, highlighting the importance of keeping software up to date.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is a missing authorization check that allows users to bypass intended access controls. This results in a low attack complexity, meaning that attackers do not require sophisticated techniques to exploit the vulnerability. Privileges required to exploit this vulnerability are low, which means even unauthorized users might be able to leverage it.
The attack vector is network-based, indicating that the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without physical access to the system. User interaction is not required, which further increases the risk, as attackers can initiate an exploit without any engagement from the victim.
The impact on confidentiality is none, but the integrity impact is classified as low, meaning that attackers may manipulate data without authorization. There is no impact on availability, which indicates that the system will remain operational even if the vulnerability is exploited.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2025-24736 primarily revolves around unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities or data within the Post Duplicator plugin. Given that many organizations use WordPress for their web presence, the deployment of this vulnerable plugin could create a significant blast radius, potentially exposing sensitive user data or other critical information.
Organizations should assess the urgency based on the CVSS score and the potential impact of exploitation. As a medium-severity vulnerability, it should be addressed in the priority patch cycle. Failure to patch this vulnerability may lead to unauthorized access and compromise the security of the organization.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of the Post Duplicator plugin include all versions prior to 2.36. Organizations using versions up to 2.35 should apply the vendor's patches as soon as they are available to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To remediate this vulnerability, organizations should upgrade the Post Duplicator plugin to version 2.36 or later. If the patch is unavailable, consider implementing workarounds such as reviewing and updating access control configurations to ensure they are properly set.
In addition, organizations should conduct a thorough security assessment and implement network controls to restrict unauthorized access to sensitive functionalities.
Conducting penetration testing can further identify vulnerabilities within the system that may not be addressed by the current remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts and review configurations periodically to ensure compliance with security policies. Behavioral anomalies in user access patterns can also be a sign of exploitation.
Network signatures that reflect unusual access patterns should be implemented to detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-24736 lies in its indication of the importance of proper access controls in web applications. This vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to maintain stringent security measures to prevent unauthorized access.
Security teams should take this opportunity to review their access control mechanisms and ensure that they are correctly configured. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of misconfigurations and the importance of regular security assessments.
Organizations can enhance their security posture by implementing best practices in access control and conducting regular audits. For further guidance, refer to our vulnerability management program to identify and mitigate similar risks.
In addition, organizations should stay informed about trends in vulnerabilities and security threats to enhance their defensive strategies.
For more insights on securing your applications, consider reading our articles on penetration testing methodologies and cloud security assessments to further strengthen your security framework.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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