CVE-2025-11244 in Password Protected Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2025
The Password Protected plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass via IP address spoofing in all versions up to, and including, 2.7.11. This is due to the plugin trusting client-controlled HTTP headers (such as X-Forwarded-For, HTTP_CLIENT_IP, and similar headers) to determine user IP addresses in the `pp_get_ip_address()` function when the "Use transients" feature is enabled. This makes it possible for attackers to bypass authorization by spoofing these headers with the IP address of a legitimately authenticated user, granted the "Use transients" option is enabled (non-default configuration) and the site is not behind a CDN or reverse proxy that overwrites these headers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-11244 affects the Password Protected plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.7.11. This authorization bypass flaw stems from the plugin's improper handling of client-controlled HTTP headers when determining user IP addresses through the pp_get_ip_address() function. The issue becomes particularly dangerous when the "Use transients" feature is enabled, which represents a non-default configuration setting that must be explicitly activated by administrators. The vulnerability exploits the fundamental trust placed in HTTP headers such as X-Forwarded-For, HTTP_CLIENT_IP, and similar headers that can be manipulated by attackers to spoof their IP addresses. This represents a classic example of insecure input validation where server-side code relies on potentially malicious user-supplied data without proper verification or sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's authorization logic where IP address determination becomes a critical factor in access control decisions. When the "Use transients" option is enabled, the plugin's behavior changes to incorporate IP-based caching mechanisms that rely on the IP address obtained from HTTP headers. Attackers can exploit this by crafting HTTP requests with spoofed headers that contain the IP address of a legitimate authenticated user, effectively allowing unauthorized access to password-protected content. This type of attack falls under the category of CWE-284: Improper Access Control, specifically manifesting as improper authorization through manipulation of network address information. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles where the system assumes the authenticity of client-provided data without implementing proper validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially compromised protected content and data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to restricted areas of a WordPress site, potentially including administrative panels, user data, or sensitive content that should be protected by the password protection mechanism. The attack vector requires the specific configuration of the "Use transients" feature to be enabled, which makes this vulnerability less likely to be exploited in default installations but still poses a significant risk to sites that have explicitly configured this option. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for sites that are not protected by CDN or reverse proxy services, as these intermediaries typically handle header sanitization and prevent such spoofing attacks. This creates a scenario where organizations that have implemented custom network configurations may be more vulnerable than those using standard CDN deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-11244 should focus on immediate configuration changes and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct mitigation involves disabling the "Use transients" feature if it is not essential for the site's operation, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Administrators should also consider implementing additional network-level protections such as reverse proxy configurations that properly sanitize HTTP headers or CDN services that handle header validation. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.002: Valid Accounts, where attackers exploit legitimate access mechanisms through header manipulation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual access patterns and consider implementing additional authentication layers or multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices around input validation and the principle of least privilege in access control systems, where trust should never be placed in potentially malicious user-supplied data without proper verification mechanisms.