A recent discovery has brought to light a concerning vulnerability in the Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) plugin for WordPress, which could have serious implications for website security. This flaw, found in both the free and pro versions up to 7.6.2.1, allows users to escalate their access privileges, potentially granting them higher-level permissions than intended.
The identified vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-24648 and CVE-2024-43333, has been addressed in the latest version 7.6.3 of the ASE plugin. With over 100,000 active installations, this plugin is popular among WordPress users seeking to streamline their admin workflows. However, the security risk stems from a specific feature within the plugin called “View Admin as Role,” which, when enabled, inadvertently opens the door for users to manipulate their own roles.
In practical terms, if an administrator demoted a user’s access level, the affected user could exploit this loophole to revert back to their previous higher privileges, such as administrator status. The vulnerability was pinpointed by security experts at Patchstack, who discovered that the flaw was a result of inadequate verification checks on user role restoration. Essentially, the process lacked robust permission validation and relied solely on a nonce check, leaving it vulnerable to exploitation.
According to Patchstack, the absence of proper verification mechanisms meant that authenticated users could take advantage of the flaw if their previous role information was stored in user metadata. This allowed them to reset the role of any user on the platform, potentially leading to unauthorized access and misuse of sensitive functionalities.
As a response to this security threat, Patchstack strongly advises WordPress administrators to promptly update the ASE plugin to version 7.6.3 and also provides additional recommendations to enhance overall site security. These measures include disabling the “View Admin as Role” feature if not essential, conducting regular audits of user roles and permissions, and considering the implementation of security plugins or services for an added layer of protection.
Furthermore, Patchstack emphasizes the importance of not solely relying on nonce checks for user permission verification, as a leakage of the nonce could compromise sensitive actions and functionalities on the website. They stress the significance of robust permission checks in tandem with nonce validation to prevent the introduction of vulnerabilities like the one identified in the ASE plugin.
In conclusion, this privilege escalation vulnerability in the ASE plugin serves as a reminder of the ever-present importance of prioritizing website security and implementing proactive measures to mitigate potential risks. By staying vigilant, applying necessary updates, and following recommended security practices, WordPress site owners can safeguard their platforms against threats and maintain a secure online environment for their users.