CVE-2025-6833 is an authorization bypass vulnerability classified under CWE-639 (Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key) found in the WordPress plugin 'All in One Time Clock Lite – Tracking Employee Time Has Never Been Easier' developed by codebangers. The flaw exists in all plugin versions up to and including 2.0 and is triggered via the 'aio_time_clock_lite_js' AJAX action. This endpoint fails to properly validate a user-controlled key parameter, leading to an insecure direct object reference (IDOR). As a result, authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges or higher can manipulate this parameter to clock other users in or out, effectively altering employee time records without authorization. The vulnerability does not require user interaction and has a low attack complexity, but it does require the attacker to be authenticated on the WordPress site. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited impact on confidentiality and availability but a clear integrity impact. No patches or known exploits are currently available or reported. This vulnerability could be exploited internally or by compromised accounts to falsify time tracking data, potentially leading to payroll fraud or operational disruptions. Since the plugin is used for employee time tracking, the integrity of recorded data is critical, and unauthorized modifications could undermine trust in the system and cause financial or compliance issues.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2025-6833 lies in the integrity of employee time tracking data. Unauthorized clock-ins or clock-outs can lead to inaccurate payroll processing, potential financial losses, and compliance violations with labor laws. This risk is particularly relevant for SMEs and enterprises relying on WordPress-based HR or time management solutions. While confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the ability for low-privileged users to manipulate time records could facilitate internal fraud or abuse. Organizations in regulated sectors with strict labor compliance requirements may face increased scrutiny or penalties if such data integrity issues are discovered. Additionally, the exploitation of this vulnerability could erode employee trust and complicate audit processes. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability’s presence in a popular plugin means it could be targeted in the future, especially in environments with weak user access controls or where subscriber accounts are easily compromised.

To mitigate CVE-2025-6833, organizations should first check if an official patch or update is released by the plugin vendor and apply it promptly. In the absence of a patch, administrators should restrict subscriber-level user capabilities to the minimum necessary, potentially disabling or limiting access to the vulnerable AJAX action via custom code or security plugins that filter or block unauthorized AJAX requests. Implementing strict user role management and monitoring for unusual time clock activity can help detect exploitation attempts. Employing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block suspicious parameter manipulation targeting 'aio_time_clock_lite_js' can reduce risk. Regular audits of time tracking logs for anomalies and cross-verification with other attendance records can help identify integrity issues early. Additionally, organizations should consider isolating the WordPress environment or using multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of account compromise. Finally, educating users about the risks of phishing and credential theft can help prevent attackers from gaining the authenticated access needed to exploit this vulnerability.