Description
The Search Exclude plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the get_rest_permission function in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.9. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify plugin settings, excluding content from search results.
Published: 2025-05-07
Score: 5.3 Medium
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Unauthenticated Modification of Plugin Settings
Action: Patch Plugin
AI Analysis

Impact

The Search Exclude plugin for WordPress contains a missing capability check in its REST API endpoint get_rest_permission. This flaw allows any unauthenticated user to send a request that changes the plugin’s configuration, thereby excluding content from search results. The primary impact is an unauthenticated authorization bypass that can alter site behaviour and potentially hide important posts or pages, affecting the integrity and availability of content discoverability.

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects the quadlayers Search Exclude plugin for WordPress versions 2.4.9 and earlier.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.3 indicates moderate severity. The EPSS score of less than 1% suggests exploitation likelihood is low, and the vulnerability is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog. Attackers can exploit the flaw by making unauthenticated HTTP requests to the plugin’s REST endpoint, bypassing any capability checks. Minimal conditions are required: the target must be a WordPress site running an affected version of the Search Exclude plugin.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 22, 2026 at 17:24 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Update the Search Exclude plugin to the latest available version to remove the missing capability check.
  • If an update is not immediately possible, disable the Search Exclude plugin until a patch is applied to prevent unauthenticated configuration changes.
  • Configure the site’s firewall or server settings to restrict REST API access to authenticated users only, adding an additional layer of protection against this flaw.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on April 22, 2026 at 17:24 UTC.

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories
Source ID Title
EUVD EUVD EUVD-2025-13655 The Search Exclude plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the get_rest_permission function in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.9. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify plugin settings, excluding content from search results.
History

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics epss

{'score': 0.00086}

 epss

{'score': 0.00089}

Wed, 07 May 2025 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Wed, 07 May 2025 02:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Search Exclude plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the get_rest_permission function in all versions up to, and including, 2.4.9. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify plugin settings, excluding content from search results.
Title Search Exclude <= 2.4.9 - Missing Authorization to Unauthenticated Plugin Settings Modification
Weaknesses CWE-862
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N'}

Subscriptions

No data.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Wordfence

Published:

Updated: 2026-04-08T16:41:00.515Z

Reserved: 2025-03-26T15:06:43.218Z

Link: CVE-2025-2821

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2025-05-07T13:47:49.134Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Deferred

Published: 2025-05-07T03:15:17.343

Modified: 2026-04-15T00:35:42.020

Link: CVE-2025-2821

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-22T17:30:22Z

Weaknesses