插件名称	School Management
漏洞类型	IDOR
CVE 编号	CVE-2025-49896
急	低的
CVE 发布日期	2025-08-15
源网址	CVE-2025-49896

WordPress School Management Plugin (<= 93.1.0) — Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR) (CVE‑2025‑49896) — What site owners must do now

作者： WP‑Firewall Security Team
日期： 2025-08-15

TL;DR

A recently disclosed Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR) affecting the School Management WordPress plugin (versions ≤ 93.1.0) is tracked as CVE‑2025‑49896. The issue allows unauthenticated attackers to access or manipulate objects by supplying identifiers directly, bypassing proper authorization checks. The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 5.3 (medium/low depending on environment) and — at the time of disclosure — no official vendor patch is available.

If you run the School Management plugin on your site, treat this as actionable: protect your site immediately by isolating the plugin, hardening access, applying virtual mitigation rules (WAF), and following the developer-level fixes we outline below. We explain the risk, safe mitigations, detection strategies, and how WP‑Firewall can protect your site while you wait for an official update.

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Why this matters

School management plugins manage sensitive data — names, student and guardian contact information, grades, schedules, sometimes file uploads and attendance records. An IDOR in such a plugin can expose personally identifiable information (PII), allow unauthorized modification of records, or provide an attacker with footholds that can escalate into larger compromises.

Key facts:

• Affected software: School Management WordPress plugin
• Vulnerable versions: ≤ 93.1.0
• CVE: CVE‑2025‑49896
• Required privilege: Unauthenticated (no login required to trigger)
• Classification: Broken Access Control / IDOR (OWASP A1)
• Reported by: Tran Nguyen Bao Khanh (researcher)
• Official fix: Not available at disclosure time

Because the vulnerability can be triggered without authentication, it is higher risk than IDORs that require valid user sessions. However, exploitability and impact depend on the plugin endpoints affected and the data those endpoints expose.

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What is an IDOR (Insecure Direct Object Reference)?

An IDOR happens when an application exposes direct references to internal objects (database rows, files, user IDs, resource IDs) without validating whether the requesting user is authorized to access the particular object referenced. Examples include:

• Using a numeric ID like ?student_id=123 in a URL without checking whether the currently authenticated user owns or may view that student record.
• Returning sensitive data solely based on an identifier passed from the client, rather than confirming the requestor’s rights.

The effect: a remote attacker can iterate over identifiers (e.g., 1..N) and read or modify items they should not be able to reach.

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How an attacker might abuse this vulnerability (high-level)

We cannot and will not publish exploit code. But to understand risk and mitigations, it helps to consider high-level abuse patterns:

1. Identify endpoints in the plugin that accept IDs or file names (e.g., ?id=, ?student_id=, ?file=, /download.php?file=).
2. Submit requests for different IDs (enumeration) and observe responses (differences in HTML, JSON, response codes, content length).
3. If the endpoint returns data for arbitrary IDs without an ownership or capability check, the attacker harvests PII, downloads files, or modifies records.
4. Combine with automated crawlers: mass-harvest lists of students/teachers, map school schedules, or add malicious content to records if write endpoints are open.

Because this vulnerability can be triggered without logging in, an attacker doesn’t need credentials or social engineering to start enumerating.

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Potential real-world impact

Impact varies by what the plugin exposes and whether the vulnerable endpoints allow read, write or file access. Possible consequences:

• Disclosure of PII (student names, guardian contact info, health info, grades).
• Unauthorized edits: changing student records, schedules, or settings.
• Download of uploaded files containing sensitive data (transcripts, photos).
• Creation of inconsistent data leading to administrative disruption.
• Combined attack chains: use leaked information to phish staff/parents or pivot to other components of the site.

Given these possibilities, administrators managing education-related sites should treat the vulnerability as high-priority for mitigation of PII exposure even if CVSS is mid-range.

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Detection & Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)

Look for signs you may have been targeted or probed:

• Unusual requests to plugin endpoints from unknown IPs, especially with incremental numeric parameters (e.g., ?student_id=1, ?student_id=2, …).
• Spike in 4xx or 2xx responses to plugin files from single IPs or a range of IPs.
• Access to data that should be restricted to authenticated users (check access logs for requests that returned data but lack a login cookie).
• Unknown modifications to records managed by the plugin: new or altered entries without admin activity.
• Unexpected file downloads from upload directories tied to the plugin.

Log sources to check:

• Web server access logs (Nginx/Apache)
• WordPress debug.log (if enabled)
• Plugin-specific logs (if the plugin logs actions)
• WAF logs — very useful to see blocked/allowed attempts and affected parameters

If you find evidence, preserve logs and follow an incident response process (outlined later).

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Immediate mitigation steps for site owners (short-term)

If you use the affected plugin and cannot immediately patch (because a fix is not available), take these actions now:

1. Put the site into maintenance mode if feasible — reduces exposure.
2. Restrict access to plugin endpoints at the webserver level (deny-by-default).
   • Example: block direct access to plugin directories with .htaccess or nginx rules except from trusted IPs.
3. Disable the plugin temporarily if the business impact allows it.
4. Harden file permissions on upload folders that the plugin uses.
5. Limit public access to admin‑facing routes using IP allow-listing or HTTP authentication for the admin URL.
6. Monitor and throttle suspicious requests (rate-limit by IP).
7. Run a full malware scan and audit for signs of abuse.
8. Export a fresh backup and snapshot logs for forensic analysis.

These steps reduce exposure while a more targeted mitigation (WAF rule or vendor patch) is implemented.

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Recommended long-term mitigation for plugin developers

We strongly encourage the plugin authors to apply the following secure coding practices — these will prevent IDORs generally:

1. 最小特權原則
   Check user capabilities for every action. Use WordPress capability checks such as:

   current_user_can( 'edit_user', $user_id );
   current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) for administrative features.

2. Resource ownership checks
   Confirm that the authenticated user is the owner of the object or has rights to access it. Example:

   if ( $resource->owner_id !== get_current_user_id() && ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) { 
       wp_die( 'Forbidden', '', 403 ); 
   }

3. Use nonces for state-changing requests
   使用 wp_create_nonce（） in forms and check with wp_verify_nonce（） on submission.
4. Avoid relying on client supplied IDs without verification
   Convert, validate and whitelist allowed IDs: (int) $id, then load and verify.
5. Centralize access-control checks
   Consolidate authorization logic into a single function to avoid inconsistencies.
6. Validate and sanitize all input
   使用 sanitize_text_field, intval etc. Use $wpdb->prepare for DB queries.
7. Log privileged operations
   Log reads/edits of sensitive data for auditing.

A minimal example (safe pattern) for read authorization:

// Safe pattern for resource access
$student_id = isset( $_GET['student_id'] ) ? intval( $_GET['student_id'] ) : 0;
if ( $student_id <= 0 ) {
    wp_die( 'Bad Request', '', 400 );
}

$student = get_student_record( $student_id ); // plugin function
if ( ! $student ) {
    wp_die( 'Not Found', '', 404 );
}

// Verify permission: owner or privileged role
$current_user = wp_get_current_user();
$is_owner = ( $student->user_id === $current_user->ID );
$can_view = $is_owner || current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) || current_user_can( 'view_student_records' );

if ( ! $can_view ) {
    wp_die( 'Forbidden', '', 403 );
}

// serve data safely

This pattern shows explicit ownership and capability checks before returning data.

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How a WAF (like WP‑Firewall) protects you while you wait for a plugin fix

While you wait for a vendor patch, a properly configured web application firewall (WAF) can block exploitation attempts and reduce exposure without modifying plugin code. Key approaches we apply:

1. Parameter-based blocking and validation
   • Detect and block requests that present sequential ID enumeration (many similar requests with incrementing IDs).
   • Block suspicious patterns where an unauthenticated request accesses endpoints that should require authentication.
2. Virtual patching (rule-based mitigation)
   • Create targeted rules that intercept calls to known vulnerable endpoints and enforce stricter authorization conditions (e.g., require cookie, header, or token).
3. Rate limiting and anomaly detection
   • Throttle requests from single IPs or address ranges exhibiting enumeration behavior.
4. Block suspicious IPs and known malicious ranges
   • Temporarily block traffic from abusive networks while monitoring.
5. Monitor sensitive endpoints
   • Alert on any access attempts to plugin endpoints that expose data without authentication.

Example protection logic (conceptual):

• Block any unauthenticated GET/POST calls to /wp-content/plugins/school-management/* that include parameters like student_id= 或者 user_id= unless a valid admin cookie or nonce is present.
• If blocking is too disruptive, return a generic 403 or captcha challenge.

WP‑Firewall customers get these virtual mitigations deployed instantly while we work with plugin authors on an upstream patch.

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Suggested ModSecurity-style rule (conceptual, non-executable)

Below is a conceptual example describing the logic of a blocking rule — do not copy/paste into production without testing. This demonstrates the principle of blocking unauthenticated access to sensitive parameters.

• If request path matches /wp-content/plugins/school-management/* AND
• Request method is GET or POST AND
• The request contains parameter names student_id OR 使用者身分 OR record_id AND
• The request lacks a WordPress authentication cookie (wordpress_logged_in_) OR a valid nonce
• THEN block or challenge the request

This rule prevents automated unauthenticated enumeration that targets ID-based endpoints.

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Detection rules and log entries to add

Add the following checks and alerts to your logging or SIEM pipelines:

• Alert on requests to plugin paths with these parameter names: student_id, guardian_id, attendance_id, record_id, ID, file.
• Alert on multiple requests with sequential parameter values from same IP.
• Alert when non-authenticated requests return data from sensitive endpoints (2xx responses).
• Create an alert threshold: e.g., more than 5 requests in 60 seconds to plugin endpoints => investigate.

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Incident response checklist (if you suspect exploitation)

1. Preserve logs and take a forensic snapshot (access logs, WP logs, DB snapshot).
2. Isolate: temporarily disable or restrict the plugin if practical.
3. Rotate credentials for admin users and review recently added admin accounts.
4. Run a full site malware scan and review for webshell indicators.
5. Check uploads and plugin directories for newly created or modified files.
6. Notify stakeholders if PII may have been exposed — follow local data breach notification requirements.
7. Rebuild from clean backups where compromise evidence is found.
8. After containment, restore services with WAF protection and confirm the vendor patch or secure plugin code has been applied.

If you run multiple sites or host multiple client sites, treat containment as a priority to reduce lateral spread.

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Practical remediation timeline for site owners

• 0–24 hours (Immediate)
  • Apply WAF virtual rule to block unauthenticated access to plugin endpoints.
  • Restrict plugin directory at webserver level, enable maintenance mode if needed.
  • Enable verbose logging and create alerts.
• 24–72 hours (Short term)
  • Audit logs and search for signs of enumeration or unusual access.
  • Disable plugin if it’s safe for your operations.
• 72 hours – 2 weeks (Medium term)
  • Coordinate with plugin author and monitor for an official patch.
  • Test the patch in staging before applying to production.
  • Harden user accounts and site configurations.
• After vendor patch is available
  • Apply vendor patch, then remove virtual WAF rules only after confirming patch efficacy.
  • Run a vulnerability scan and penetration test to confirm closure.

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Advice for hosting providers & agencies

If you host sites, prioritize client communication and mitigation:

• Push global virtual patching across hosted sites running the affected plugin.
• Provide a managed remediation timeline to clients.
• Offer temporary isolation or plugin deactivation where possible.
• Assist with forensic log retention and, if necessary, incident response services.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: If the vulnerability is unauthenticated, should I immediately take the plugin offline?
A: If you can tolerate temporary loss of the plugin, disabling it is the most reliable way to stop exploitation. If the plugin is mission-critical, apply WAF rules, restrict access, and monitor aggressively until a patch is available.

Q: Will deleting the plugin remove the risk?
A: Removing the plugin stops its endpoints from being called, but leftover files or database entries that the plugin created could persist. Always confirm removal and clean up leftover endpoints or scheduled tasks.

Q: How long will WAF protection remain effective?
A: As long as the WAF rules match the attack surface and the application structure stays the same, virtual patching remains effective. However, if the plugin author changes endpoints or behavior, rules may need updating.

Q: Are there privacy or legal obligations if PII was leaked?
A: Possibly — depending on jurisdiction and the nature of data. Consult legal counsel and follow local breach notification laws.

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Closing summary

IDORs are common but preventable. This particular issue in the School Management plugin (CVE‑2025‑49896) demonstrates how missing authorization checks can expose sensitive school data to unauthenticated attackers. While the vendor has not yet provided a fix at disclosure, administrators can reduce their risk immediately through webserver access restrictions, targeted WAF rules, monitoring and incident response steps.

At WP‑Firewall, our approach is to combine immediate virtual protection (rules that block exploitation attempts) with guidance for secure plugin hardening and incident response. If you need help applying these mitigations or deploying temporary virtual patches across multiple sites, our team can help you design and implement a layered defense.

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Additional resources and recommended reading

• Review WordPress capability and nonce APIs in the official dev docs (wp_verify_nonce, current_user_can).
• Audit your plugin list and remove unused plugins and themes.
• Maintain a robust backup schedule and test restoration regularly.
• If you suspect a breach, consult with a professional incident response team.

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If you’d like a custom assessment for your site — including rule creation to mitigate this IDOR and ongoing monitoring — our security engineers can run a free evaluation and suggest the least disruptive protections. Contact us from your WP‑Firewall dashboard after signing up for the free plan.