CVE-2025-2253 in Listing Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2025
The IMITHEMES Listing plugin is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.3. This is due to the plugin not properly validating a verification code value prior to updating their password through the imic_reset_password_init() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change any user's passwords, including administrators if the users email is known.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2253 affects the IMITHEMES Listing plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 3.3. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the authentication and authorization mechanisms of WordPress-based systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's password reset functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized access and privilege escalation. The flaw is particularly concerning as it operates without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker who can obtain a target user's email address.
The technical root cause lies in the imic_reset_password_init() function which fails to properly validate the verification code value before proceeding with password updates. This validation gap allows attackers to manipulate the password reset process by crafting malicious verification codes that bypass normal security checks. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor mechanism where an attacker can initiate password resets for any user account within the system. When combined with the knowledge of a user's email address, this flaw enables complete account takeover capabilities that extend to administrative accounts, potentially providing attackers with full system control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple password changes, as it enables comprehensive account takeover and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to administrative interfaces, modify critical system configurations, and potentially compromise entire WordPress installations. The vulnerability's exploitability is heightened by the fact that it does not require prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where email addresses are publicly accessible or easily obtainable through social engineering techniques. This flaw directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing authentication and session management weaknesses that can lead to unauthorized access and privilege escalation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-862, which describes insufficient authorization checks, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1110.003 for credential stuffing and T1078.004 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage legitimate user accounts through compromised passwords. The security implications are compounded by the fact that this vulnerability affects a widely used plugin, meaning that numerous WordPress installations could be simultaneously compromised. Organizations running affected versions should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the vulnerable plugin, implementing additional authentication layers, and monitoring for unauthorized password reset activities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to the latest plugin version that addresses the validation issue, implementing rate limiting on password reset requests to prevent abuse, and strengthening email validation processes. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious password reset activities, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly in WordPress environments where plugins can introduce significant security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to detect similar issues in their plugin ecosystems and establish robust monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts.