CVE-2025-15027 in JAY Login & Register Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/08/2026
The JAY Login & Register plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 2.6.03. This is due to the plugin allowing a user to update arbitrary user meta through the 'jay_login_register_ajax_create_final_user' function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to elevate their privileges to that of an administrator.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2026
The CVE-2025-15027 vulnerability affects the JAY Login & Register plugin for WordPress, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security posture of affected installations. This vulnerability exists within all versions up to and including 2.6.03, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their plugins. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the plugin's user management functionality, specifically targeting the 'jay_login_register_ajax_create_final_user' function that handles user registration processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows for arbitrary user meta updates through a carefully crafted attack vector that bypasses normal WordPress authentication and authorization checks. When an attacker exploits this flaw, they can manipulate user meta fields to assign administrative privileges to their accounts without proper authentication. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that maps directly to CWE-269 Improper Privilege Management, where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables unauthenticated attackers to gain full administrative control over affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete administrative access to affected WordPress installations. Once an attacker successfully elevates their privileges, they can modify any aspect of the WordPress system including but not limited to plugin and theme management, user account manipulation, content modification, and database access. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, where attackers leverage compromised or improperly secured accounts to maintain persistent access. Additionally, the vulnerability enables lateral movement within the WordPress ecosystem and could potentially serve as a stepping stone for further attacks on connected systems or networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-15027 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the privilege escalation flaw, with administrators monitoring for security patches from the plugin vendor. Network-level defenses including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and block exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Security monitoring should focus on unusual user meta updates and authentication-related activities that deviate from normal administrative patterns. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege controls, regularly audit user permissions, and conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potential entry points. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated plugin versions to ensure compatibility with existing site configurations and functionality.