External risk intelligence

Felan Framework Authentication Bypass Vulnerability

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2025-23504

The vulnerability affects a WordPress plugin. WordPress plugins are commonly deployed as part of public-facing web applications, making the authentication-related functionality reachable via the internet in standard web deployments.

Authentication Bypass

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory details an authentication bypass vulnerability within the Felan Framework, a type of technology that could impact your web applications. The issue allows unauthorized access, which may expose sensitive information or allow malicious actors to control systems. While specific impacts depend on how your organization uses this framework, the potential for unauthorized access warrants attention.

An access flaw lets outsiders bypass security.
It could let unauthorized users access your systems.
Confirm if your systems use this affected framework.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could bypass authentication by reaching the Felan Framework through an alternate path or channel. This allows them to abuse authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized access or control of the application.

Requires no user interaction or privileges.
Exploits an alternate path or channel.
Leads to authentication abuse.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to bypass authentication controls and gain unauthorized access to the Felan Framework. When supported by the advisory, this could potentially affect system data and service behavior by enabling unauthorized actions or modifications.

System data could be accessed.
An attacker could exploit network access.
Unauthorized system actions may occur.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

This critical authentication bypass vulnerability in the RiceTheme Felan Framework requires immediate attention. Application owners and platform teams are likely responsible for managing the Felan Framework and should prioritize identifying all instances of the affected technology. The initial step involves confirming its presence, assessing exposure and business criticality, and then coordinating with vendor management if necessary to plan for remediation or implement temporary risk-reduction measures.

Application owners and platform teams.
Verify affected framework presence and exposure.
Plan coordinated remediation or mitigation.

Supplementary metadata

CVSS vector

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Felan Framework?

The Felan Framework is a software component developed by RiceTheme, primarily used as a WordPress plugin. Developers and site administrators use such frameworks to add specific functional capabilities to their web applications, acting as a modular tool to extend site features. Because it integrates directly into the WordPress environment, it handles core operations that can influence how users interact with and gain access to the underlying platform.

What does Authentication Bypass mean for CVE-2025-23504?

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-288, or Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel. In plain terms, it means the software contains a logic error where an attacker can use an unconventional or unintended method to reach sensitive parts of the application. Instead of following the standard login process, the attacker finds a 'back door' that allows them to interact with the system as if they were already verified, effectively skipping the security check entirely.

How do attackers trigger this vulnerability?

An attacker triggers this flaw by accessing specific network paths within the framework that are not properly secured. The vulnerability is designed such that no interaction from a legitimate user or administrative privileges are required to initiate the process. It is important to note that this is not triggered by a user simply browsing the site normally; rather, it requires a specific, intentional request to the flawed authentication channel to bypass the existing login controls.

Do I need to worry about this if my site is not public?

Halo Surface Signal indicates that because this is a WordPress plugin, it is most often deployed in public-facing web applications, which makes the authentication logic reachable over the internet. If your instance is truly isolated from all external network traffic, the likelihood of an attacker reaching this path is lower. However, even internal-only applications should be assessed, as internal threats or lateral movement within a network could still leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access.

When should I take action on this CVE?

You should prioritize this immediately because the vulnerability is rated as critical, meaning it could grant an attacker full control over the affected system. The first step is to conduct an inventory to confirm whether your web environments are running the Felan Framework versions 1.1.3 or earlier. Once identified, work with your technical team to assess the criticality of the site and prepare for remediation steps, such as updating the plugin or applying temporary access controls.

References

patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/felan-framework/vulnerabili…

Written by Nicholas Merritt

Nicholas Merritt is VP of Security Solutions at Halo Security. With more than 25 years across application security, vulnerability prioritization, and offensive security, he helps teams translate threat data into practical exposure validation and remediation focus. He authors Halo Threat Intelligence CVE advisories using Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context to prioritize internet-facing risk.