CVE-2025-2779 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the Insert Headers and Footers Code – HT Script WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.1.2. The root cause is the absence of a capability check in the ajax_dismiss AJAX handler function, which fails to verify whether the authenticated user has sufficient privileges to perform certain actions. This flaw allows any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level access to update specific option values on the WordPress site. These options include flags that can trigger site errors or enable features such as user registration, which may be undesirable or harmful. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality but impacts integrity by allowing unauthorized modification of site settings, and availability by potentially causing site errors or denial of access to legitimate users. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, and the requirement for low privileges but no user interaction. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability presents a significant risk due to the common use of this plugin and the low privilege level required for exploitation. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be publicly available, emphasizing the need for mitigation.

This vulnerability can have several impacts on organizations using the affected WordPress plugin. Unauthorized users with minimal privileges can alter site configuration options, potentially causing site errors that disrupt availability and deny legitimate users access. Enabling features like user registration without proper controls could lead to spam registrations or unauthorized account creation, increasing the risk of further abuse or compromise. While confidentiality is not directly affected, the integrity and availability of the website are at risk, which can damage organizational reputation, reduce user trust, and cause operational downtime. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of the web, organizations relying on this plugin—especially those with public-facing websites—face a risk of service disruption and potential exploitation by low-privilege insiders or compromised accounts. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability is widely known.

Organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence of the Insert Headers and Footers Code – HT Script plugin, particularly versions up to 1.1.2. Until a patch is available, administrators should consider disabling or removing the plugin to eliminate the attack surface. If removal is not feasible, restrict Subscriber-level accounts from accessing or interacting with the plugin’s AJAX endpoints by implementing custom access controls or firewall rules at the application or web server level. Monitoring and logging AJAX requests related to the plugin can help detect suspicious activity. Additionally, enforce strong authentication and account management policies to minimize the risk of compromised low-privilege accounts. Once a vendor patch is released, prioritize timely updates. Finally, review and harden WordPress option settings to ensure no unauthorized changes have been made and implement regular backups to enable recovery from potential site disruptions.