CVE-2025-11007 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the CE21 Suite plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.2.1 through 2.3.1. The root cause is a missing authentication or capability check on the AJAX action wp_ajax_nopriv_ce21_single_sign_on_save_api_settings, which is accessible without user authentication (noted by the 'nopriv' suffix). This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to send crafted requests to update the plugin’s API settings, including a secret key used for authentication purposes. By manipulating these settings, attackers can escalate privileges by creating new administrator accounts on the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers gain full control over the site’s administrative functions. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the vulnerability’s network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability’s nature makes it highly exploitable. The CE21 Suite plugin is used to integrate various services into WordPress, and the affected versions are widely deployed in some sectors. The missing authentication check is a classic CWE-306 flaw, indicating a critical lapse in access control design. Immediate remediation involves patching or upgrading the plugin to a fixed version once available, or applying temporary access restrictions to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint. Monitoring for suspicious administrative account creation and API setting changes is also essential to detect exploitation attempts.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites running the CE21 Suite plugin on WordPress, particularly those handling sensitive data or providing critical services. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain administrative control, potentially leading to data breaches, defacement, malware implantation, or complete site takeover. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance under GDPR due to unauthorized access and data exposure. The vulnerability’s network-level exploitability without authentication or user interaction increases the attack surface, making automated attacks feasible. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media that rely on WordPress and CE21 Suite are especially vulnerable. The impact extends beyond individual sites, as compromised admin accounts can be used for lateral movement within corporate networks or to launch further attacks against customers and partners. Given the critical severity and ease of exploitation, the threat demands urgent mitigation to prevent widespread compromise across European digital infrastructure.

1. Immediately update the CE21 Suite plugin to a version where this vulnerability is patched; if no patch is available, consider disabling the plugin temporarily. 2. Restrict access to the wp_ajax_nopriv_ce21_single_sign_on_save_api_settings AJAX endpoint by implementing server-level access controls (e.g., IP whitelisting, web application firewall rules) to block unauthenticated requests. 3. Harden WordPress security by enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, limiting administrative privileges, and enabling two-factor authentication for all admin accounts. 4. Monitor WordPress logs and plugin settings for unauthorized changes, especially new admin account creations and API key modifications. 5. Employ intrusion detection systems to detect anomalous AJAX requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans focusing on WordPress plugins and their configurations. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely updates. 8. Consider isolating WordPress instances with critical data behind additional security layers such as reverse proxies or VPNs to reduce exposure. 9. Backup website data frequently and verify restoration procedures to minimize downtime in case of compromise.