Custom API for WP <= 4.2.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Privilege Escalation
Strategic Overview
- Status
- Patched in 4.2.3
- Affected Plugin
- Custom API for WP
- Affected Version
<= 4.2.2- CVSS
- 8.8High
- Weakness type
- CWE-266 · Incorrect Privilege Assignment
- CVE
CVE-2025-54049
At a glance
CVE-2025-54049 is a high-severity Incorrect Privilege Assignment vulnerability in the Custom API for WP WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 4.2.2. It carries a CVSS score of 8.8 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Subscriber level or above. The issue is fixed in version 4.2.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed July 2025, reported by Hiro.
Vulnerability Overview
The Custom API for WP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.2. This is due to the plugin not properly restricting a users ability to set roles. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to elevate their privileges.
Technical Analysis
The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.
CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment
A product incorrectly assigns a privilege to a particular actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor.
Remediation
Update to version 4.2.3, or a newer patched version
How does WordSec protect against this?
Because it turns on account access, WordSec's login security is the relevant layer: role-based two-factor, captcha and brute-force limits raise the cost of getting the account this needs. None of that substitutes for the fix: Custom API for WP 4.2.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.
- Login Security
- Alerts
External References
Related records
Other vulnerabilities in Custom API for WP
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