CVE-2025-63069 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability in the Ivory Search plugin, a WordPress search enhancement tool developed by Vinod Dalvi. The vulnerability specifically affects the add-search-to-menu feature, where access control security levels are incorrectly configured or missing. This misconfiguration allows unauthorized users to exploit the plugin by performing actions that should require proper authorization, such as modifying search menu settings or injecting search functionalities without permission. The affected versions include all releases up to and including 5.5.12, with no specific version range prior to that indicated. The vulnerability was reserved in late October 2025 and published in December 2025, with no CVSS score assigned yet and no known active exploits reported. The lack of authorization checks means that an attacker does not need to authenticate or interact with a user to exploit this flaw, increasing its risk profile. The impact could range from unauthorized configuration changes to potential exposure of sensitive search-related data or disruption of website functionality. Since Ivory Search is a popular WordPress plugin, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of websites, especially those relying on the plugin for critical search capabilities. The absence of patches at the time of reporting necessitates immediate attention to access control policies and monitoring for suspicious activities related to the plugin.

For European organizations, the missing authorization vulnerability in Ivory Search could lead to unauthorized changes in website search configurations, potentially exposing sensitive data or disrupting user experience. This can affect confidentiality if search queries or results reveal protected information, and integrity if attackers manipulate search menus or functionality. Availability impact is possible if attackers disable or degrade search features, harming business operations and user trust. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, government, education, and media that rely heavily on WordPress and Ivory Search for content discovery are particularly vulnerable. The exploitation does not require authentication, increasing the risk of automated or remote attacks. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, the vulnerability could have a broad impact, especially on websites with less stringent access controls or delayed patch management. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the potential for future exploitation remains significant.

1. Immediately inventory all WordPress installations to identify instances of Ivory Search plugin version 5.5.12 or earlier. 2. Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they become available to address the missing authorization flaw. 3. Until patches are deployed, restrict access to the WordPress admin dashboard and plugin management interfaces using IP whitelisting, VPNs, or multi-factor authentication to reduce unauthorized access risk. 4. Implement web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the add-search-to-menu functionality. 5. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to search menu modifications or plugin configuration changes. 6. Educate site administrators about the vulnerability and encourage prompt updates and security best practices. 7. Consider disabling or removing the Ivory Search plugin temporarily if it is not critical to operations, to eliminate exposure. 8. Review and tighten WordPress user roles and permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. 9. Conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration tests focusing on WordPress plugins and access controls. 10. Maintain an incident response plan to quickly address any exploitation attempts.