CVE-2021-25032: The PublishPress Capabilities WordPress plugin before 2.3.1, PublishPress Capabilities Pro WordPress plugin be

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-25032?

capabilities: upgrade to 2.3.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-25032 being exploited?

CVE-2021-25032 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-25032 affect?

CVE-2021-25032 affects capabilities. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The PublishPress Capabilities WordPress plugin before 2.3.1, PublishPress Capabilities Pro WordPress plugin before 2.3.1 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when updating the plugin's settings via the init hook, and does not ensure

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-25032?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-25032 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting capabilities. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The PublishPress Capabilities WordPress plugin before 2.3.1, PublishPress Capabilities Pro WordPress plugin before 2.3.1 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when updating the plugin's settings via the init hook, and does not ensure that the options to be updated belong to the plugin. As a result, unauthenticated attackers could update arbitrary blog options, such as the default role and make any new registered user with an administrator r

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	6.7% (top 6%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-352, CWE-862
Published	2022-01-10
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: publishpress

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-10 16:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

publishpress capabilities UPGRADE

Affected: < 2.3.1

Fixed in: 2.3.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy capabilities || rpm -q capabilities || capabilities --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade capabilities

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade capabilities

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Nuclei scan template: PublishPress Capabilities < 2.3.1 - Missing Authorization

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-25032?

capabilities: upgrade to 2.3.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-25032 being exploited?

CVE-2021-25032 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-25032 affect?

CVE-2021-25032 affects capabilities. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The PublishPress Capabilities WordPress plugin before 2.3.1, PublishPress Capabilities Pro WordPress plugin before 2.3.1 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks when updating the plugin's settings via the init hook, and does not ensure

How urgent is CVE-2021-25032?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 6%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-3366 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE The PublishPress Capabilities WordPress plugin before 2.5.2, PublishPress Capabilities Pro WordPress plugin be

References

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