CVE-2025-15018: CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in djanym Optional Email
The Optional Email plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Account Takeover in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.11. This is due to the plugin not restricting its 'random_password' filter to registration contexts, allowing the filter to affect password reset key generation. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to set a known password reset key when initiating a password reset, reset the password of any user including administrators, and gain access to their accounts.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-15018 is a critical vulnerability in the djanym Optional Email WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to 1.3.11. The issue arises from improper restriction of the 'random_password' filter, which is applied beyond registration contexts and influences password reset key generation. This allows unauthenticated attackers to specify a predictable password reset key during the reset process, enabling them to reset passwords for any user, including administrators, thereby escalating privileges and taking over accounts.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in full account takeover, including administrator accounts, leading to complete compromise of the affected WordPress site. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the site are severely impacted as attackers gain unauthorized control.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict or disable the Optional Email plugin, especially on sites with high-privilege users, to prevent exploitation. Monitor for updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once released.
CVE-2025-15018: CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in djanym Optional Email
Description
The Optional Email plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation via Account Takeover in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.11. This is due to the plugin not restricting its 'random_password' filter to registration contexts, allowing the filter to affect password reset key generation. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to set a known password reset key when initiating a password reset, reset the password of any user including administrators, and gain access to their accounts.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-15018 is a critical vulnerability in the djanym Optional Email WordPress plugin affecting all versions up to 1.3.11. The issue arises from improper restriction of the 'random_password' filter, which is applied beyond registration contexts and influences password reset key generation. This allows unauthenticated attackers to specify a predictable password reset key during the reset process, enabling them to reset passwords for any user, including administrators, thereby escalating privileges and taking over accounts.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation results in full account takeover, including administrator accounts, leading to complete compromise of the affected WordPress site. Confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the site are severely impacted as attackers gain unauthorized control.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict or disable the Optional Email plugin, especially on sites with high-privilege users, to prevent exploitation. Monitor for updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once released.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-22T02:54:37.143Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 695e1b30a55ed4ed998cb6a3
Added to database: 1/7/2026, 8:37:04 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 9:55:20 AM
Last updated: 5/9/2026, 4:53:57 PM
Views: 154
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