Search Exclude: A security weakness
Search Exclude is affected by a security weakness. Exploitation requires at least contributor-level access. The resulting impact depends on how the affected component exposes the vulnerable operation.
- Component
- Search Exclude
- Plugin slug
search-exclude- Affected
- See vendor advisory
- Safe version
- See mitigation notes
- Published
- Nov 25, 2025
- Weakness
- CWE-862 — Missing Authorization
This CVE was published Nov 25, 2025 and is one of 4 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update Search Exclude to a release outside the affected range, or disable and remove it until a fixed version is available.
No confirmed safe version is listed. Consider a vendor-supported patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality while you assess the risk.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
The Search Exclude plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a insufficient capability check on the Base::get_rest_permission() method in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.7. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to modify plugin settings, such as adding arbitrary posts to the search exclusion list.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N