CVE-2019-25141 in Easy WP SMTP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The Easy WP SMTP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass in versions up to, and including, 1.3.9. This is due to missing capability checks on the admin_init() function, in addition to insufficient input validation. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify the plugins settings and arbitrary options on the site that can be used to inject new administrative user accounts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The Easy WP SMTP plugin vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that affects WordPress installations using versions up to and including 1.3.9. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative initialization function where proper capability checks are absent, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify user permissions before processing administrative actions. Such a weakness fundamentally undermines the security model of WordPress by allowing attackers to bypass the standard authentication requirements that should prevent unauthorized modifications to core system settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the admin_init() function which lacks proper capability verification before executing administrative operations. When an attacker crafts malicious requests to the plugin's administrative endpoints, the system fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform the requested actions. This absence of capability checks creates a direct exploitation vector where unauthorized parties can manipulate plugin configurations without proper authentication. The insufficient input validation further compounds the issue by allowing attackers to inject arbitrary parameters that can be processed without proper sanitization, potentially leading to configuration changes that enable persistent access to the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to inject new administrative user accounts into the WordPress environment. This escalation allows unauthorized individuals to gain full administrative control over affected sites, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The implications are particularly severe because WordPress administrators typically rely on the plugin's configuration to manage email delivery and system communications, making this vulnerability a prime target for attackers seeking long-term access. The ability to create new administrative accounts transforms a simple configuration bypass into a persistent backdoor that can be leveraged for data exfiltration, site defacement, or further lateral movement within compromised networks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Easy WP SMTP plugin, which addresses the missing capability checks and input validation issues. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to administrative endpoints and deploy monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized configuration changes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-863 (Incorrect Authorization) and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables attackers to establish persistent access through administrative account creation. Additionally, this weakness demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and capability checks as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of insufficient logging and monitoring that allows attackers to maintain access without detection. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of all installed plugins to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities that could compromise their WordPress environments.