CVE-2025-49920 identifies a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the accessiBe Web Accessibility plugin, a widely used tool designed to help websites comply with accessibility standards. The vulnerability arises from incorrectly configured access control security levels, which fail to properly restrict access to certain administrative or sensitive functions within the plugin. This misconfiguration can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to features or data that should be protected, potentially allowing them to manipulate accessibility settings or extract sensitive information. The affected versions include all releases up to and including 2.10, with no specific version details provided. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits have been reported, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed. However, the lack of authorization checks typically represents a critical security flaw because it can be exploited without authentication or user interaction. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2025 and published in October 2025, suggesting recent discovery. The plugin’s role in modifying website accessibility means that exploitation could impact the integrity of website content and user experience, as well as potentially expose confidential configuration data. The absence of a patch at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate mitigation efforts by affected organizations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized modification of web accessibility settings, potentially degrading compliance with legal accessibility requirements such as the EU Web Accessibility Directive. Confidential information related to accessibility configurations or user data might be exposed or altered, undermining trust and potentially causing regulatory penalties. Since the plugin is used on public-facing websites, exploitation could also damage brand reputation and user confidence. The impact on integrity and confidentiality is significant, while availability impact is likely limited. Organizations in sectors with stringent accessibility obligations, including government, education, and public services, face heightened risks. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, especially for organizations with limited monitoring of plugin configurations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to conduct further attacks or data exfiltration, making it a critical concern for European entities aiming to maintain compliance and security.

Organizations should immediately audit their accessiBe Web Accessibility plugin configurations to verify and enforce strict access control policies, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive functions. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or restricting the plugin’s administrative interfaces via network-level controls or web application firewalls. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual access patterns or unauthorized attempts to access restricted areas. Engage with accessiBe support to obtain timelines for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability. Implement compensating controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access and regular reviews of user permissions. Additionally, conduct penetration testing focused on access control weaknesses in web accessibility tools. Maintain up-to-date backups of website configurations to enable rapid recovery if unauthorized changes occur. Finally, educate web administrators about the risks of misconfigured access controls and the importance of timely updates.