CVE-2025-6754 in SEO Metrics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/02/2025
The SEO Metrics plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation due to missing authorization checks in both the seo_metrics_handle_connect_button_click() AJAX handler and the seo_metrics_handle_custom_endpoint() function in versions 1.0.5 through 1.0.15. Because the AJAX action only verifies a nonce, without checking the caller’s capabilities, a subscriber-level user can retrieve the token and then access the custom endpoint to obtain full administrator cookies.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-6754 affects the SEO Metrics plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions between 1.0.5 and 1.0.15. This privilege escalation flaw stems from inadequate authorization mechanisms within two critical functions: seo_metrics_handle_connect_button_click() and seo_metrics_handle_custom_endpoint(). The vulnerability represents a significant security risk as it allows low-privilege users to escalate their privileges to administrative level through a carefully orchestrated sequence of actions that bypasses normal WordPress access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relies on the plugin's improper handling of AJAX requests and custom endpoint access. The seo_metrics_handle_connect_button_click() function validates only the presence of a valid nonce but fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary capabilities to perform the action. This nonce validation alone is insufficient since nonces can be generated and reused by any authenticated user, particularly those with subscriber privileges. The vulnerability is further exacerbated by the seo_metrics_handle_custom_endpoint() function which does not perform any capability checks, allowing unauthorized access to administrative resources through the retrieved token.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables a subscriber-level user to gain complete administrative control over the affected WordPress installation. Through the privilege escalation chain, a malicious user can first trigger the connect button click handler to obtain a valid token, then use this token to access the custom endpoint and retrieve administrator cookies. This access allows for complete control over the website including the ability to modify content, install malicious plugins, alter user permissions, and potentially exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability effectively undermines the entire WordPress permission model and exposes all administrative functions to unauthorized access.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which describes "Incorrect Authorization" where the system fails to properly verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. This weakness is further categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials, as the vulnerability allows attackers to obtain administrative credentials through legitimate plugin functionality. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation patterns found in ATT&CK technique T1068, where an attacker leverages a flaw in a system to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, reviewing user capabilities, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring special privileges beyond basic WordPress authentication.
This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper authorization checks in web applications, particularly within content management systems where plugins often require elevated privileges for legitimate functions. The flaw demonstrates how a simple missing capability check can create a complete compromise of system security, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of plugin functionality and proper adherence to security best practices in WordPress development.