CVE-2025-31046 is a missing authorization vulnerability classified under CWE-862 affecting the WPvibes AnyWhere Elementor Pro WordPress plugin, specifically versions up to 2.29. The vulnerability stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to adequately verify whether a user has the necessary permissions to perform certain actions within the plugin. This flaw allows an attacker with at least limited privileges (PR:L) to execute unauthorized operations remotely (AV:N) without requiring any user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability does not expose confidential data (C:N) nor does it affect system availability (A:N), but it compromises data integrity (I:L) by enabling unauthorized changes to plugin or site content. The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component without affecting other system components. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of publication. The vulnerability was reserved in March 2025 and published in January 2026. The plugin is widely used to extend Elementor Pro’s capabilities in WordPress sites, making it a relevant target for attackers aiming to escalate privileges or manipulate site content. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3, indicating medium severity due to the requirement of some privileges and the limited impact on confidentiality and availability.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to the integrity of WordPress sites using the AnyWhere Elementor Pro plugin. Attackers with limited user privileges could exploit this flaw to perform unauthorized modifications, potentially defacing websites, injecting malicious content, or altering site functionality. Such unauthorized changes can damage brand reputation, reduce customer trust, and potentially lead to further exploitation if malicious code is injected. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidential data or cause denial of service, integrity violations can have cascading effects, including SEO penalties and regulatory scrutiny under data protection laws if site integrity impacts user data handling. Organizations relying heavily on WordPress for their web presence, especially those in sectors like e-commerce, media, and public services, may face operational disruptions and reputational harm. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once patches are available or the vulnerability becomes widely known.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Immediately review and restrict user roles and permissions within WordPress to the minimum necessary, ensuring that only trusted users have privileges that could be exploited; 2) Monitor WordPress logs and plugin activity for unusual or unauthorized actions indicative of exploitation attempts; 3) Disable or remove the AnyWhere Elementor Pro plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface; 4) Engage with WPvibes or trusted security sources to obtain timely patches or updates once released and prioritize their deployment; 5) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin’s endpoints; 6) Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on WordPress plugins and access controls; 7) Educate site administrators about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of strict access management; 8) Use security plugins that can enforce granular access control and alert on unauthorized changes. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control hardening, proactive monitoring, and rapid patch management tailored to this vulnerability’s characteristics.