CVE-2025-49872 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) identified in the myCred plugin developed by WPExperts.io, affecting versions up to and including 2.9.4.2. myCred is a popular WordPress plugin used to manage points, rewards, and gamification elements on websites. The vulnerability arises because certain functionality within the plugin is not properly constrained by Access Control Lists (ACLs), allowing unauthorized users to invoke functions that should require specific permissions. According to the CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N), the vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without any authentication or user interaction, with low attack complexity. The impact is limited to integrity, meaning an attacker can alter data or state within the plugin's scope but cannot affect confidentiality or availability directly. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability's root cause is the absence of proper authorization checks before executing sensitive functions, which could allow attackers to manipulate point balances, user rewards, or other gamification-related data, potentially undermining the trustworthiness of the affected websites' reward systems.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the myCred plugin, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of user data related to points and rewards systems. While it does not directly compromise confidential information or availability, unauthorized manipulation of points or rewards can lead to reputational damage, financial loss (if points are tied to monetary value or discounts), and erosion of customer trust. E-commerce platforms, educational institutions, and community websites that rely on myCred for engagement and loyalty programs are particularly at risk. Attackers could exploit this flaw to fraudulently increase their points or disrupt the fairness of reward systems, potentially leading to financial fraud or unfair competitive advantages. Since exploitation requires no authentication and no user interaction, the attack surface is broad, increasing the likelihood of automated attacks or mass exploitation attempts. However, the lack of known active exploits and the medium CVSS score suggest the threat is moderate but should not be underestimated, especially for high-value targets.

1. Immediate mitigation should include disabling or removing the myCred plugin until a security patch is released, especially on high-value or customer-facing sites. 2. Monitor and audit point transactions and reward logs for unusual or unauthorized changes to detect potential exploitation early. 3. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to restrict or monitor access to endpoints related to myCred plugin functions, focusing on anomalous requests that attempt to invoke sensitive functionality without proper authorization. 4. Limit exposure by restricting administrative and plugin management access to trusted IP addresses and enforcing strong authentication mechanisms on WordPress admin accounts. 5. Stay updated with WPExperts.io announcements and apply patches promptly once available. 6. Consider alternative plugins with robust security track records if myCred is critical to business operations and patches are delayed. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on WordPress plugins and their access controls to identify similar authorization issues proactively.