CVE-2025-5305 in Password Reset with Code REST API Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2025
The Password Reset with Code for WordPress REST API WordPress plugin before 0.0.17 does not use cryptographically sound algorithms to generate OTP codes, potentially leading to account takeovers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5305 affects the Password Reset with Code for WordPress REST API plugin, specifically versions prior to 0.0.17. This issue resides within the plugin's implementation of one-time password generation mechanisms that are critical for secure authentication processes. The weakness manifests in the plugin's failure to employ cryptographically secure random number generation techniques when creating OTP codes for password reset operations, creating a significant security risk for WordPress installations that rely on this functionality.
The technical flaw represents a direct violation of cryptographic best practices and security standards, as the plugin utilizes predictable or insufficiently random algorithms for OTP generation. This weakness falls under the category of weak cryptography as defined by CWE-330, where insufficient randomness in cryptographic operations can lead to predictable outputs that adversaries can exploit. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to potentially generate valid OTP codes without legitimate authorization, thereby undermining the entire password reset security mechanism. The use of non-cryptographically secure random number generators in authentication contexts represents a fundamental flaw that directly contradicts the principles outlined in NIST SP 800-90A regarding the generation of random numbers for cryptographic applications.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk of account takeover and unauthorized access to user accounts. When attackers can predict or reproduce OTP codes, they gain unauthorized access to the password reset functionality, potentially leading to full account compromise and subsequent access to sensitive user data. The impact extends beyond individual account theft to potential broader system compromise, especially in environments where compromised accounts may have elevated privileges or access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in scenarios where users may reuse passwords across multiple systems, creating cascading security failures that can be exploited through the compromised authentication mechanism.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 0.0.17 or later, which presumably addresses the cryptographic implementation issues. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including rate limiting for password reset requests, monitoring for unusual authentication patterns, and implementing multi-factor authentication as a compensating control. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of all WordPress plugins and themes to identify similar cryptographic weaknesses, particularly those handling authentication tokens or session management. The vulnerability highlights the importance of cryptographic implementation reviews and adherence to security standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development practices. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security scanning tools that can detect weak cryptographic implementations in third-party software components.