CVE-2025-14484 in Image Buzz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/22/2026
The Image Buzz plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized API key modification due to missing authorization checks in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.3. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify arbitrary API keys (Pixabay, Unsplash, Pixels) configured by site administrators via the 'pixabay_api', 'unsplash_api', or 'pixels_api' parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2026
The Image Buzz plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability stemming from insufficient access control mechanisms within its administrative interface. Specifically, versions up to and including 1.0.3 fail to enforce proper authorization checks when processing requests that modify API key configurations. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to interact with the plugin's settings endpoints without valid session tokens or permission validations, effectively bypassing standard WordPress security protocols designed to restrict sensitive configuration changes to authenticated administrators only.
The technical nature of this vulnerability is classified as a Broken Access Control issue, aligning with CWE-284 in the Common Weakness Enumeration database. The core defect lies in the server-side logic handling parameters such as pixabay_api, unsplash_api, and pixels_api. These endpoints accept input to update stored credentials but do not verify that the requesting user possesses the necessary capabilities or is logged into an administrative session. Consequently, any external actor can send crafted HTTP requests directly to these endpoints, successfully overwriting the existing API keys with values of their choosing without triggering authentication failures or permission errors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. By modifying the configured API keys for services like Pixabay, Unsplash, and Pixels, an attacker gains control over how image assets are fetched and displayed on the compromised website. This can lead to several adverse outcomes including service disruption if invalid or expired keys are injected, causing images to fail loading. More critically, it enables potential abuse of the associated API quotas by directing requests through the victim site's credentials, potentially incurring financial costs for the site owner if usage-based billing is applied. Furthermore, this manipulation can facilitate content injection attacks where malicious or inappropriate imagery is served to visitors, damaging the reputation and integrity of the website.
From a threat intelligence perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, specifically in contexts where attackers exploit misconfigurations to bypass authentication requirements. It also relates to TA0005, Defense Evasion, as it allows an attacker to manipulate system configurations without detection through standard access logs that typically monitor authenticated administrative actions. The lack of authorization checks represents a fundamental failure in implementing the principle of least privilege and secure default configurations for sensitive settings management interfaces.
To mitigate this risk, immediate action is required by upgrading the Image Buzz plugin to version 1.0.4 or later where these authorization checks have been properly implemented. Site administrators should verify that all instances of the plugin are updated across their WordPress installations. In environments where patching cannot be performed immediately, temporary mitigations include restricting access to the wp-admin directory via IP whitelisting if feasible, although this is less effective for cloud-hosted sites with dynamic IPs. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block anomalous POST requests targeting plugin settings endpoints that lack valid session cookies or nonces. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress plugins are recommended to identify similar access control flaws before they can be exploited in production environments.