CVE-2025-5701
Published: 05 June 2025
Summary
CVE-2025-5701 is a high-severity Missing Authorization (CWE-862) vulnerability in Wordpress (inferred from references). Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 5.6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
The HyperComments plugin for WordPress is affected by CVE-2025-5701, a missing capability check vulnerability in the hc_request_handler function present in all versions through 1.2.2. The flaw permits unauthorized modification of site options and is tracked under CWE-862 with a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8.
Unauthenticated attackers can exploit the issue over the network to update arbitrary WordPress options. This can be chained to enable user registration, change the default role to administrator, and obtain administrative access to the site.
Public references include the plugin source on WordPress Trac and a detailed entry from Wordfence that outlines the affected code path and resulting impact.
EPSS for the CVE reached a peak of 0.1691 after disclosure before settling at the current value of 0.1344, indicating emerging exploitation interest that warrants renewed attention from defenders.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2025-16984
Vulnerability details
The HyperComments plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the hc_request_handler function in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.2. This makes it possible…
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for unauthenticated attackers 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.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requiring an access control policy ensures authorization checks are defined and applied for critical functions.
Reviews of access controls detect missing authorization checks on critical functions or resources.
Documenting permitted unauthenticated actions prevents missing authorization by making all exceptions explicit and subject to organizational review.
Requiring attribute association with information prevents authorization from being performed without necessary security or privacy context.
Mandating authorization prior to allowing remote connections addresses missing authorization for remote access.
Mandating authorization before wireless connections are allowed prevents missing authorization for wireless access.
The control requires authorization before allowing mobile device connections, directly mitigating missing authorization for system access.
Requiring approvals for account creation and specifying authorizations ensures authorization is not missing for system access.