CVE-2025-28965 in URL Shortener Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Md Yeasin Ul Haider URL Shortener allows Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs. This issue affects URL Shortener: from n/a through 3.0.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-28965 represents a critical authorization flaw within the Md Yeasin Ul Haider URL Shortener application affecting versions through 3.0.7. This missing authorization issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly constrain functionality based on established access control lists. The vulnerability manifests when authenticated users can access administrative functions and features that should be restricted to authorized personnel only, creating a significant security risk for systems utilizing this URL shortening solution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which describes improper authorization within software systems. The URL Shortener application fails to implement proper authentication checks before allowing access to privileged functions, enabling unauthorized users to exploit administrative capabilities through direct access to restricted endpoints. This flaw typically occurs when the application does not adequately verify user permissions or roles before executing sensitive operations, allowing attackers to bypass intended access controls through manual input or automated tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate the URL shortening service in ways that could compromise system integrity and availability. An attacker with access to the unauthorized functionality could modify existing short URLs, delete records, create malicious links, or potentially gain deeper system access through the compromised application. The vulnerability affects the application's core functionality by undermining the trust model that should govern access to administrative features, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the URL shortener serves as a critical component of business operations or user services.
Organizations utilizing this URL shortener application should immediately implement mitigations including comprehensive access control reviews, mandatory authentication verification for all administrative functions, and regular security assessments to identify similar authorization gaps. The implementation of proper role-based access controls, session management improvements, and input validation measures can effectively address this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. According to ATT&CK framework category T1078, which covers Valid Accounts and Defense Evasion techniques, this vulnerability could be exploited to maintain persistent access through compromised administrative functions, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining system security posture.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authorization implementation in web applications, particularly those handling user data and content management. Without adequate access control measures, even seemingly simple applications can become attack vectors for more sophisticated compromises. The affected version range indicates this is likely a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed in the application's development lifecycle, emphasizing the need for regular security audits and proper code reviews to identify and remediate such authorization flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the wild.