CVE-2025-15521: CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in kodezen Academy LMS – WordPress LMS Plugin for Complete eLearning Solution
The Academy LMS – WordPress LMS Plugin for Complete eLearning Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.0. This is due to the plugin not properly validating a user's identity prior to updating their password and relying solely on a publicly-exposed nonce for authorization. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary user's password, including administrators, and gain access to their account.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2025-15521 is a critical authorization bypass vulnerability in the Academy LMS WordPress plugin (versions up to 3.5.0). The plugin fails to properly validate user identity before allowing password updates and relies solely on a publicly exposed nonce for authorization. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary users' passwords, including those of administrators, resulting in privilege escalation and account takeover. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to reset passwords of any user, including administrators, leading to full account takeover. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site and its eLearning content. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative control, and potential further malicious activity within the affected environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict access to the affected plugin and consider disabling it if possible. Monitor for updates from the vendor (kodezen) regarding patches or temporary mitigations. Avoid relying on the plugin for critical user authentication functions until the issue is resolved.
CVE-2025-15521: CWE-639 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in kodezen Academy LMS – WordPress LMS Plugin for Complete eLearning Solution
Description
The Academy LMS – WordPress LMS Plugin for Complete eLearning Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.0. This is due to the plugin not properly validating a user's identity prior to updating their password and relying solely on a publicly-exposed nonce for authorization. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary user's password, including administrators, and gain access to their account.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2025-15521 is a critical authorization bypass vulnerability in the Academy LMS WordPress plugin (versions up to 3.5.0). The plugin fails to properly validate user identity before allowing password updates and relies solely on a publicly exposed nonce for authorization. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary users' passwords, including those of administrators, resulting in privilege escalation and account takeover. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8, reflecting its high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated attackers to reset passwords of any user, including administrators, leading to full account takeover. This compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress site and its eLearning content. The vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, administrative control, and potential further malicious activity within the affected environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is released, restrict access to the affected plugin and consider disabling it if possible. Monitor for updates from the vendor (kodezen) regarding patches or temporary mitigations. Avoid relying on the plugin for critical user authentication functions until the issue is resolved.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- Wordfence
- Date Reserved
- 2026-01-14T15:32:20.670Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 697034844623b1157c6ef998
Added to database: 1/21/2026, 2:05:56 AM
Last enriched: 4/9/2026, 4:57:33 PM
Last updated: 5/10/2026, 6:48:41 AM
Views: 247
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