WordPress Security Patch for Admin Authentication Bypass//Published on 2025-08-04//CVE-2025-7710

WP-FIREWALL BEVEILIGINGSTEAM

Brave Conversion Engine Vulnerability

Pluginnaam Bravepopup-pro
Type of Vulnerability Authenticatie omzeilen
CVE Number CVE-2025-7710
Urgentie Kritisch
CVE Publish Date 2025-08-04
Source URL CVE-2025-7710 Record

Critical Authentication Bypass Vulnerability in Brave Conversion Engine (PRO) Plugin — What WordPress Site Owners Must Know

In the fast-evolving ecosystem of WordPress plugins, security can sometimes be overlooked in favor of features or performance. Recently, a critical vulnerability was disclosed affecting the Brave Conversion Engine (PRO) plugin for WordPress versions up to and including 0.7.7. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms altogether, gaining unauthorized administrator access to a compromised website. The implications are dire and demand immediate attention from any website using this plugin.

In this detailed analysis, we will explore the nature of this vulnerability, its risks, and the critical steps site owners should take to protect their WordPress websites. We’ll also discuss general best practices in defending against authentication vulnerabilities and how deploying a robust Web Application Firewall (WAF) can help mitigate such threats—even before official patches are applied.


Understanding the Vulnerability: Authentication Bypass in Brave Conversion Engine (PRO)

What Is Broken Authentication?

Broken authentication flaws occur when an application’s authentication mechanisms do not correctly verify or enforce user identity and privileges. This can lead to unauthorized users performing actions reserved only for legitimate administrators or higher-privilege roles. In WordPress, this kind of vulnerability is especially dangerous because it may allow attackers to completely take over a website.

Details of the Brave Conversion Engine (PRO) Vulnerability

  • Plugin: Brave Conversion Engine (PRO)
  • Betrokken versies: Any version ≤ 0.7.7
  • Vastgesteld in: Version 0.8.0
  • Ernst: Critical (CVSS Score 9.8 / 10)
  • CVE ID: CVE-2025-7710
  • Date Published: August 4, 2025
  • Required Privilege for Exploitation: None (Unauthenticated users can exploit)

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to impersonate an administrator and perform critical administrative actions without valid credentials. This flaw effectively grants full control over the website to an attacker and opens the door to defacement, data theft, installation of backdoors, or even turning the compromised site into a node in botnets or malware dissemination.

How Does This Vulnerability Work?

While the detailed technical analysis requires access to the plugin’s source code specifics, the core issue lies with insufficient authentication validation allowing unauthenticated users to interact with admin-restricted functionalities. The plugin fails to adequately check whether the user is properly logged in and has administrative privileges before performing sensitive tasks.

This bypass means an attacker can, without any form of login, interact with admin-level operations — a classical broken authentication flaw categorized under OWASP Top 10 as A7: Identification and Authentication Failures.


Waarom is deze kwetsbaarheid zo gevaarlijk?

Full Administrative Access Without Login

Since an attacker can escalate privileges without authentication, they effectively gain complete control of the WordPress admin dashboard. This includes:

  • Adding or deleting users (especially administrators)
  • Injecting malicious code or malware
  • Compromising the database or sensitive information
  • Modifying site content and settings
  • Installing backdoors or persistence mechanisms

Implications for Site Owners and Visitors

  • Website Takeover: The attacker can lock out legitimate users and control the site indefinitely.
  • Datalek: Customer and user data stored on the site can be accessed or stolen.
  • SEO and Reputation Damage: Defacement or spam injection damages search rankings and brand trust.
  • Distributie van malware: The site may be blacklisted by Google or security services, impacting traffic and credibility.
  • Financial Losses: Sites that process payments or subscriptions risk direct monetary theft and loss of customers.

Attackers Are Opportunistic and Fast

Automated attack scripts regularly scour the web for such critical vulnerabilities and will strike as soon as one becomes public—sometimes even before site owners have applied patches.


Hoe u uw WordPress-site tegen deze kwetsbaarheid kunt beschermen

1. Immediate Plugin Update

De most straightforward and effective solution for this Brave Conversion Engine (PRO) vulnerability is upgrading to version 0.8.0 or later, where this flaw is patched.

  • Check your WordPress dashboard or plugin management system promptly.
  • If auto-updates are available and safe to enable, activate them for quicker mitigation.
  • Verify post-update that the plugin functions correctly and no new errors occur.

2. Implement a Robust Web Application Firewall (WAF)

A professional WAF can provide virtueel patchen, which helps block exploit attempts even before you can update the plugin. A WAF monitors incoming requests and detects malicious patterns, filtering out unauthorized actions related to this vulnerability.

Deploying a WAF capable of fuzzing and behavior-based blocking greatly improves your security posture against newly discovered plugin vulnerabilities, particularly those with critical authentication bypass flaws.

3. Regular Security Scanning and Monitoring

  • Conduct regular malware scans to detect compromised files or suspicious changes.
  • Monitor login attempts and user role modifications.
  • Use security plugins or services that alert on unusual admin activity or access patterns.

4. Harden WordPress Authentication

  • Enforce strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all admin accounts.
  • Limit login attempts and implement IP-based restrictions.
  • Restrict administrative access to trusted IP ranges if feasible.

5. Backup Before Changes

Always take a full backup of your site database and files before applying updates or security fixes. This ensures you can recover swiftly if updates cause unforeseen issues.


The Broader Lesson: Authentication Vulnerabilities Are a Persistent Threat for WordPress Sites

Plugin authors sometimes unintentionally overlook or misimplement authentication checks, creating entry points for attackers. WordPress site owners must stay vigilant about:

  • Timely plugin and core updates — delays invite attackers.
  • Using trusted and actively maintained plugins with good security track records.
  • Reviewing security advisories from reputable sources to catch threats early.

Authentication bypass vulnerabilities rank among the most severe because the attacker gets unfettered control, unlike other flaws that might only expose data or cause denial of service conditions.


What Makes This Vulnerability Stand Out?

Characteristic Details
Exploitatie Unauthenticated request can escalate to admin
Invloed Complete site takeover possible
Risk Score 9.8 (Critical)
Gepatchte versie 0.8.0
Patch Priority High — update immediately
Kwetsbaarheidstype Broken Authentication (OWASP A7)

This classification underscores how dangerous broken authentication vulnerabilities are — they undermine the very foundation of access control.


Expert Recommendations for WordPress Site Administrators

  • Audit all plugins regularly. Remove unnecessary or outdated plugins.
  • Apply security updates immediately, especially for plugins with reported critical vulnerabilities.
  • Leverage security layers such as WAFs for an extra shield, especially on high-traffic or business-critical sites.
  • Ensure your hosting environment is secure with firewall, isolation, and regular patches.
  • Train your team about phishing and credential best practices to mitigate social engineering attacks.

Enhancing Your WordPress Security with Managed Firewall Protection

Security vulnerabilities like this authentication bypass reinforce the importance of a professional security layer designed specifically for WordPress sites.

A trusted managed firewall solution that includes the following features delivers comprehensive protection for any WordPress site:

  • Managed Firewall & Web Application Firewall (WAF): Blocks common and advanced threats in real-time, including OWASP Top 10 risks.
  • Malware Scanner & Auto-Mitigation: Scans for malicious files and suspicious behavior, with immediate neutralization.
  • Virtueel patchen: Automatically shields your site from known vulnerabilities before official patches are available.
  • Unlimited Bandwidth with Minimal Latency Impact: Ensures security doesn’t slow down your site.
  • Ongoing Security Reports and Alerts: Keeps you informed of any threats or attempted attacks.

Discover WP-Firewall’s Free Security Solution for Your WordPress Site

Protect Your Website with Essential Security — No Cost, No Hassle

If you’re looking to safeguard your WordPress site against critical vulnerabilities like the Brave Conversion Engine authentication bypass, consider the free Basic plan — designed to provide essential protection without extra cost.

The plan includes:

  • Fully managed firewall with real-time threat mitigation
  • Web Application Firewall (WAF) defending against OWASP Top 10 risks
  • Unlimited bandwidth and efficient, low-latency operation
  • Malware scanning to detect threats early

Starting strong with basic protection is the first step toward comprehensive website security. Upgrading to higher tiers later unlocks additional benefits such as automated malware removal, IP controls, virtual patching, security reports, and expert-managed services.

👉 Explore and sign up for the free WP-Firewall Basic Plan today

Give your WordPress website the essential armor it deserves — without upfront investment or complicated setup.


In Conclusion

The recently disclosed high-severity authentication bypass vulnerability in the Brave Conversion Engine (PRO) plugin illustrates a broader, ongoing risk within the WordPress ecosystem. Broken authentication flaws threaten the very integrity of your website and can lead to complete compromise by unauthorized actors.

Immediate update of the Brave Conversion Engine plugin to version 0.8.0 or later is the primary fix. However, to stay ahead of such risks, site owners need to enforce multilayered security, regularly monitor their sites, and leverage professional-grade security controls like Web Application Firewalls and managed patching.

As WordPress powers a significant percentage of the internet, the need for vigilance and proactive security measures has never been greater. Protect your digital presence by staying informed, updating promptly, and utilizing comprehensive security tools designed specifically for WordPress.


Stay vigilant. Stay secure.


wordpress security update banner

Ontvang WP Security Weekly gratis 👋
Meld je nu aan
!!

Meld u aan en ontvang wekelijks de WordPress-beveiligingsupdate in uw inbox.

Wij spammen niet! Lees onze privacybeleid voor meer informatie.