PHP
CVE-2025-14998
CRITICAL
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Object-level authorization, IDOR prevention
|
| Impact | CVSS 9.8 (Critical). No authentication, network vector, low complexity. WordPress admin takeover enables complete site compromise including malware injection, data theft, and SEO spam. EPSS 0.05%. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker identifies a WordPress site running Branda, sends a crafted password reset request targeting the 'admin' user, sets a new password, logs in as administrator, and installs a persistent backdoor. |
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Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
The Branda WordPress plugin (through 3.4.24) allows unauthenticated attackers to reset any user's password without identity verification, enabling account takeover including administrator accounts. Full site compromise is one password reset away.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Branda WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated password reset for any user account, enabling immediate administrator account takeover.
RemediationAI
Update Branda to a patched version immediately. Check for unauthorized admin logins. Reset all user passwords if exploitation is suspected. Implement MFA for admin accounts.
Affected ProductsAI
Branda WordPress plugin through 3.4.24
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
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Technical ContextAI · show details
The password reset functionality does not properly verify the requester's identity before changing the password (CWE-639 – Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key). An attacker can specify any user's identifier and set a new password without possessing the original credentials or email verification token.
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- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
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Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionCVE.org
The Branda plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all versions up to, and including, 3.4.24. This is due to the plugin not properly validating a user's identity prior to updating their password. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to change arbitrary user's passwords, including administrators, and leverage that to gain access to their account.
Executive ViewAI
Organizations using for WordPress is vulnerable to privilege escalation via account takeover in all face critical risk from CVE-2025-14998, a IDOR vulnerability rated CVSS 9.8. Successful exploitation could critically impact the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Organizations should apply vendor updates immediately when available and implement compensating controls in the interim.
Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Privilege escalation occurs when an attacker leverages flaws in access control mechanisms to gain permissions beyond what they were originally granted.
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Exploit-DB