CVE-2025-3793 is a vulnerability identified in the lamarant Buddypress Force Password Change plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 0.1. The core issue stems from improper validation of a user's identity before allowing a password update via the 'bp_force_password_ajax' function. Specifically, the plugin fails to verify that the authenticated user requesting a password change is authorized to do so for the targeted account. This flaw enables attackers with at least subscriber-level access to exploit the vulnerability under certain conditions to change arbitrary users' passwords, including those of administrators. By successfully changing an administrator's password, the attacker can escalate privileges and gain full control over the WordPress site. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-620 (Unverified Password Change), indicating a failure to properly authenticate or authorize password change requests. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the potential for privilege escalation and account takeover. The attack requires the attacker to be authenticated with subscriber-level or higher access, which means initial access to the WordPress environment is necessary. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of user accounts and the availability of the affected WordPress site if the attacker disrupts administrative control. No official patch or fix has been published at the time of this report, increasing the urgency for mitigation through alternative means.

For European organizations relying on WordPress sites with the Buddypress Force Password Change plugin installed, this vulnerability presents a medium-level threat with potentially severe consequences. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized administrative access, allowing attackers to manipulate website content, steal sensitive data, deploy malware, or disrupt services. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling personal data under GDPR, as unauthorized access could lead to data breaches with legal and financial repercussions. The vulnerability's requirement for authenticated access limits exposure to some extent; however, subscriber-level accounts are common in many WordPress deployments, especially in community or membership sites. Attackers could leverage phishing or other social engineering techniques to gain initial access and then exploit this vulnerability for privilege escalation. The lack of a patch increases the risk window, necessitating immediate defensive actions. The impact extends beyond individual websites to potentially affect the reputation and operational continuity of European businesses, public sector entities, and NGOs using affected WordPress plugins.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting subscriber-level account creation and monitoring for suspicious account activity to reduce the risk of attackers gaining initial authenticated access. 2. Implement strict access controls and review user roles regularly to ensure minimal privileges are assigned. 3. Disable or uninstall the Buddypress Force Password Change plugin until a patch is available. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious AJAX requests targeting the 'bp_force_password_ajax' function. 5. Monitor logs for unusual password change requests or multiple failed attempts indicative of exploitation attempts. 6. Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative and privileged accounts to mitigate the impact of compromised credentials. 7. Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated and subscribe to vendor security advisories for timely patch deployment once available. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on authentication and authorization mechanisms within WordPress environments.