CVE-2025-5692 in Lead Form Data Collection to CRM Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/02/2025
The Lead Form Data Collection to CRM plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the doFieldAjaxAction() function in all versions up to, and including, 3.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update arbitrary options on the WordPress site. This can be leveraged to update the default role for registration to administrator and enable user registration for attackers to gain administrative user access to a vulnerable site. Other AJAX actions handling plugin settings are also insufficiently protected and exploitable.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5692 affects the Lead Form Data Collection to CRM plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress site configurations. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the doFieldAjaxAction() function that lacks proper capability verification. The vulnerability exists across all versions up to and including 3.1, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The flaw permits attackers with minimal privileges to exploit the system and manipulate core WordPress settings, effectively creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the absence of capability checks within the AJAX handling functions of the plugin. According to CWE-284 access control vulnerabilities, the plugin fails to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations. The doFieldAjaxAction() function operates without verifying whether the authenticated user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to modify critical system options. This missing validation allows attackers with Subscriber-level access or higher to manipulate plugin settings through AJAX requests, bypassing WordPress's standard permission model that should prevent such modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the system assumes legitimate users have appropriate permissions without explicit verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, creating a complete pathway for attackers to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker with Subscriber access can leverage this vulnerability to change the default user registration role from subscriber to administrator, effectively allowing them to create new administrative accounts. This privilege escalation capability transforms a low-privilege attack into a full site compromise, enabling attackers to establish persistent access, modify content, install malicious plugins, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The exploitation chain typically involves first authenticating to the WordPress site with subscriber credentials, then using the vulnerable AJAX endpoint to modify core settings, and finally registering new administrator accounts to maintain access. Additional AJAX actions within the plugin that handle settings are also susceptible to similar exploitation, amplifying the potential attack surface and making the vulnerability particularly dangerous.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-5692 require immediate action from WordPress administrators to protect their sites from exploitation. The most effective immediate solution involves updating the Lead Form Data Collection to CRM plugin to the latest version where the capability checks have been implemented. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual AJAX activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1078 credential access and privilege escalation tactics, administrators should review user roles and permissions regularly, ensuring that only trusted users have access to sensitive areas of the WordPress installation. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls with rules to block suspicious AJAX requests and monitoring for unauthorized changes to WordPress core settings can provide additional defense layers. Security hardening practices such as disabling unnecessary user registration, implementing strong authentication measures, and maintaining regular security audits should be employed to reduce the overall attack surface and prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.