CVE-2025-47555 in Tutor LMS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/22/2026
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key vulnerability in Themeum Tutor LMS tutor allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Tutor LMS: from n/a through <= 3.9.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass flaw classified as CWE-285, where an attacker can manipulate user-controlled keys to circumvent access control mechanisms within the Themeum Tutor LMS platform. The vulnerability specifically affects versions through 3.9.4 and stems from incorrectly configured security levels that allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges through crafted input parameters. The flaw exploits the improper handling of authentication tokens and session management components, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the system fails to properly validate user inputs that control access permissions, particularly in scenarios involving key-based authentication mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting specific requests that manipulate control keys, effectively allowing them to assume roles or access data they should not be authorized to view. This misconfiguration creates a dangerous situation where legitimate access controls are bypassed through user-controllable parameters, potentially enabling full administrative access to the learning management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches within educational institutions using the affected Tutor LMS version. An attacker exploiting this flaw could potentially access student records, course materials, grading information, and other sensitive educational data. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by its potential to be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the platform is exposed to external networks. This authorization bypass could result in significant regulatory compliance violations under frameworks such as FERPA and GDPR.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and access control mechanisms, including strengthening the authentication token handling process and ensuring all user-controllable parameters are properly sanitized. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Tutor LMS and implement network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object references that should be addressed through proper access control implementation. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous access patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts, while regular security audits should verify proper configuration of access control mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future.