CVE-2025-5812 in VG WORT METIS Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2025
The VG WORT METIS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the gutenberg_save_post() function in all versions up to, and including, 2.0.0. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to update limited post settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-5812 affects the VG WORT METIS plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for integrating German media analytics and content tracking services. This security flaw resides in the plugin's handling of post modification operations, specifically within the gutenberg_save_post() function that processes content updates through the Gutenberg editor interface. The vulnerability represents a critical authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental security model of WordPress, where user permissions are strictly enforced to prevent unauthorized modifications to content and settings.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper capability checks within the gutenberg_save_post() function, which is designed to handle post data persistence operations. This missing validation allows authenticated users at the Subscriber level and above to manipulate specific post settings without proper authorization. The flaw operates as a privilege escalation vulnerability where users with minimal permissions can exploit the lack of access controls to modify post configurations, potentially altering metadata, content properties, or other sensitive post attributes. According to CWE-284, this represents an inadequate access control implementation where the system fails to properly verify user permissions before executing privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it creates potential vectors for more sophisticated attacks within WordPress environments. An attacker with Subscriber-level access could leverage this flaw to alter post settings in ways that might affect content delivery, SEO configurations, or integration parameters with external services. This vulnerability particularly concerns content management systems where the VG WORT METIS plugin is used for tracking media consumption and content analytics, as unauthorized modifications could compromise data integrity and analytics accuracy. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this affects all versions up to and including 2.0.0, indicating a long-standing issue that has not been properly addressed in the plugin's security architecture.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which involves valid accounts used for unauthorized access, as it specifically targets authenticated users with existing access privileges. The remediation approach requires immediate plugin updates to versions that implement proper capability checks and access validation before allowing post modification operations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized post modifications and review user permissions to ensure that only appropriate personnel have access to content management functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in WordPress plugins, particularly those handling sensitive content integration and analytics data, as highlighted in the OWASP Top Ten security risks for web applications.