CVE-2019-25215 in ARI Adminer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2024
The ARI-Adminer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a lack of file access controls in nearly every file of the plugin in versions up to, and including, 1.1.14. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to call the files directly and perform a wide variety of unauthorized actions such as accessing a site's database and making changes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2025
The CVE-2019-25215 vulnerability affects the ARI-Adminer plugin for WordPress, representing a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the security posture of affected websites. This vulnerability stems from inadequate file access controls implemented within the plugin's codebase, specifically in versions up to and including 1.1.14. The flaw exists across nearly every file of the plugin, creating a widespread security weakness that can be exploited by unauthenticated attackers without requiring any valid credentials or privileges. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by failing to implement proper authentication checks before allowing access to sensitive administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to directly call plugin files without proper authorization mechanisms, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that should restrict administrative functions to authorized users only. This authorization bypass occurs because the plugin does not verify whether a user has proper authentication credentials or administrative privileges before executing sensitive operations. The flaw operates at the application level and can be exploited through direct HTTP requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoints, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no complex exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database information, modify site content, and potentially escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a comprehensive range of malicious activities that can severely compromise website integrity and data security. Unauthenticated attackers can access sensitive database information, potentially exposing user credentials, personal data, and other confidential information stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability also allows for arbitrary code execution capabilities through database manipulation, enabling attackers to modify website content, inject malicious scripts, or even establish persistent backdoors within the affected systems. This broad attack surface makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for websites running vulnerable versions of the ARI-Adminer plugin, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access control implementation that violates industry security standards and best practices. Organizations should immediately update to the latest version of the ARI-Adminer plugin where this vulnerability has been patched, and implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls to mitigate potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to plugin directories, and regular security audits should verify that all WordPress plugins maintain proper access controls and authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of implementing proper authorization checks in all application components, particularly those handling sensitive operations and data access functions.