CVE-2025-13398
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2026
Rejected reason: This CVE ID is a duplicate of CVE-2025-13542 and was never published. Both IDs were assigned to the same unauthenticated privilege escalation vulnerability in the DesignThemes LMS WordPress plugin. All CVE users should reference CVE-2025-13542 instead of this ID.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2026
The subject identifier represents a redundant entry within the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures ecosystem, specifically designated as a duplicate of CVE-2025-13542. This specific vulnerability pertains to an unauthenticated privilege escalation flaw located within the DesignThemes LMS WordPress plugin. Because this ID was never officially published or assigned unique tracking data distinct from its parent identifier, it holds no independent technical significance for security researchers or system administrators. The core issue involves a failure in access control mechanisms that allows attackers with no prior authentication to elevate their privileges on the affected web application environment.
From a technical perspective, privilege escalation vulnerabilities of this nature typically arise when input validation and authorization checks are insufficiently enforced during critical administrative operations. In the context of WordPress plugins like DesignThemes LMS, such flaws often stem from improper verification of user roles or capabilities before executing sensitive functions. An attacker can exploit these weaknesses by crafting specific HTTP requests that bypass standard authentication gates, thereby gaining unauthorized access to administrative features. This capability effectively compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire web application infrastructure hosting the plugin.
The operational impact of such a vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on this software stack. Unauthenticated attackers can potentially modify course content, manage user accounts, install malicious plugins, or execute arbitrary code depending on the specific implementation details of the flaw. This leads to full compromise of the WordPress installation, resulting in data breaches, defacement, and potential lateral movement within the network if the web server is not properly isolated. The lack of authentication requirement significantly lowers the barrier for entry, allowing automated scanning tools and opportunistic attackers to exploit the issue with minimal effort.
Industry standards classify this type of flaw under CWE-269, which denotes Improper Privilege Assignment, or potentially CWE-862 if it involves missing authorization checks entirely. In terms of attack vectors, this aligns with MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to Initial Access and Execution phases where attackers leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain a foothold within the target environment. The absence of authentication requirements places this vulnerability in high-risk categories due to its ease of exploitation by remote adversaries without credentials.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate remediation through software updates rather than configuration changes alone, as code-level flaws require vendor patches. Administrators should prioritize upgrading the DesignThemes LMS plugin to a version that addresses CVE-2025-13542 immediately upon availability. In cases where patching is not instantly feasible, implementing web application firewalls with rules targeting known exploitation patterns for this specific vulnerability can provide temporary protection. Additionally, enforcing strict input validation and principle of least privilege in custom development practices helps prevent similar issues in future software releases. Security teams should also monitor vendor advisories closely to ensure timely deployment of fixes across all affected instances.