CVE-2025-0856 in PGS Core Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/07/2025
The PGS Core plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access, modification, and loss of data due to a missing capability check on multiple functions in all versions up to, and including, 5.8.0. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to add, modify, or plugin options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2026
The vulnerability in the PGS Core plugin for WordPress represents a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This issue stems from the absence of proper capability checks within multiple functions throughout the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for unauthenticated attackers to exploit the system. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 5.8.0, indicating a prolonged period during which the flaw remained undetected and potentially active in production environments. The missing capability checks essentially remove the necessary authentication barriers that should prevent unauthorized users from performing administrative actions within the plugin's functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with common web application security weaknesses classified under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms. Specifically, the flaw manifests as an insufficient authorization check that allows attackers to bypass normal security controls. When functions within the plugin do not properly verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations, they create opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The affected functions likely handle administrative tasks such as modifying plugin settings, adding new configurations, or altering existing data structures. These operations typically require administrator-level privileges, yet the missing capability checks permit any user, including anonymous visitors, to perform these actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. Unauthenticated attackers can leverage this flaw to inject malicious configurations, alter plugin behavior, or establish persistent access points within the WordPress environment. The ability to add or modify plugin options provides attackers with significant control over the plugin's functionality and potentially opens doors to broader system exploitation. Data loss becomes a serious concern as attackers can manipulate or delete plugin-specific configurations that may be critical for system operation. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to hide malicious activities within legitimate plugin operations, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address the fundamental authorization issue by implementing proper capability checks throughout the plugin's codebase. The most effective approach involves adding explicit permission verification before executing any function that modifies plugin settings or performs administrative tasks. This remediation should follow established security practices and align with WordPress coding standards that require proper user authentication and authorization checks. Administrators should immediately update to the latest version of the PGS Core plugin where the capability checks have been implemented. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized modifications to plugin configurations, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can perform administrative functions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits and code reviews to identify similar authorization gaps in other plugins and custom applications. Organizations should consider implementing network-level protections and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.