CVE-2025-15525 — AI Deep Analysis Summary

🚨 **Core Issue**: The `parse_custom_args()` function in the WordPress plugin Ajax Load More does not validate user permissions.…

🔍 **Root Cause**: CWE-250 (Authorization Control Failure). `parse_custom_args()` does not check `current_user_can()`, allowing any user to bypass permission controls.

⚠️ **Affected Components**: Ajax Load More plugin (all versions, including 7.8.1). Impacts WordPress sites using this plugin.

🔓 **What Attackers Can Do**: Access post titles and excerpts without login, including drafts, private, pending, or deleted content. Can be used for information gathering, social engineering, or content theft.

⚡ **Low Exploitation Barrier**: No authentication or special configuration required. Simply access the specific endpoint and send crafted parameters to trigger the vulnerability.

🔍 **PoC Not Publicly Released**: No public exploit is currently available. However, source code is exposed (Trac link), enabling attackers to craft their own. ⚠️ Risk of in-the-wild exploitation exists.

🛠️ **Self-Check Method**: 1. Check if Ajax Load More is installed. 2. Verify version ≤ 7.8.1. 3. Use tools to scan `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` for responses to `alm_load_more` parameter.

✅ **Official Fix Released**: Upgrade to the latest version (>7.8.1). Fix: Added permission validation logic in `parse_custom_args()`.

🛡️ **Temporary Mitigation**: 1. Disable the plugin. 2. Restrict access to `admin-ajax.php` via `.htaccess`. 3. Use a firewall (e.g., Wordfence) to block suspicious requests.

🔥 **High Priority!** High risk of information leakage, no authentication required. Immediate upgrade or temporary disablement recommended. 🛡️ Urgency of Fix: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐