CVE-2025-13390

WP Directory Kit <= 1.4.4 - Authentication Bypass to Privilege Escalation via Account Takeover

2025-12-03 00:39

Strategic Overview

Status: Patched in 1.4.5
Affected Plugin: WP Directory Kit
Affected Version: 1.4.0 – 1.4.4
CVSS: 10.0Critical
Weakness type: CWE-303 · Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm
CVE: CVE-2025-13390

View all WP Directory Kit vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2025-13390 is a critical-severity Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm vulnerability in the WP Directory Kit WordPress plugin, affecting versions 1.4.0 – 1.4.4. It carries a CVSS score of 10.0 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality, integrity, availability impact). Exploitation requires no authentication. The issue is fixed in version 1.4.5; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed December 2025, reported by Ryan Kozak.

Vulnerability Overview

The WP Directory Kit plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.4 due to incorrect implementation of the authentication algorithm in the "wdk_generate_auto_login_link" function. This is due to the feature using a cryptographically weak token generation mechanism. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to gain administrative access and achieve full site takeover via the auto-login endpoint with a predictable token.

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 privileges on the target site, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality, integrity, availability — full site compromise territory.

CWE-303: Incorrect Implementation of Authentication Algorithm

The requirements for the product dictate the use of an established authentication algorithm, but the implementation of the algorithm is incorrect.

Remediation

Update to version 1.4.5, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

The fix is the thing that ends this: WP Directory Kit 1.4.5 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-13390 https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/6598d171-e68c-4d2f-9cd1-f1574fa90433 https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-13390

Related records

Other vulnerabilities in WP Directory Kit

CVSS Vector

10.0

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Base

Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges RequiredNone
User InteractionNone
ScopeChanged
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh

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