CVE-2025-64215: Missing Authorization in MasterStudy LMS Pro 4.7.15 and Earlier

Technical summary

CVE-2025-64215 is a CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) vulnerability in MasterStudy LMS Pro versions before 4.7.16. The application fails to properly enforce access controls on certain functions, permitting unauthenticated network requests to execute restricted operations. The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.5 (MEDIUM) reflects the network-exploitable nature with low complexity, no privileges required, but limited scope of impact (no confidentiality loss, minor integrity and availability compromise).

Business impact

Organizations deploying MasterStudy LMS Pro risk unauthorized modification of course content, student records, or system settings without detection. While confidentiality remains protected, an attacker could deface course materials, corrupt enrollment data, or disrupt service availability, undermining institutional trust in the platform and potentially violating data stewardship obligations to students and staff.

Affected systems

MasterStudy LMS Pro versions prior to 4.7.16 are vulnerable. Organizations should inventory all deployments of this plugin, including production, staging, and development environments. The vulnerability affects any installation that has not applied the patched version or implemented compensating controls.

Exploitability

This vulnerability is network-exploitable without authentication or special privileges, making it relatively straightforward to trigger. No user interaction is required. However, exploitation requires knowledge of the specific unprotected endpoints or functionality, reducing opportunistic attack likelihood. The absence of public exploit code and lack of KEV status suggest active exploitation has not yet been widely observed.

Remediation

Upgrade MasterStudy LMS Pro to version 4.7.16 or later immediately. After patching, verify ACL enforcement across all administrative and protected endpoints. Review access logs for the 30 days preceding the patch date to identify any suspicious unauthorized requests or data modifications.

Patch guidance

Apply the MasterStudy LMS Pro update to version 4.7.16 as released by StylemixThemes. Verify the update against the vendor advisory to confirm patch completeness. Test the patch in a non-production environment before broad deployment to ensure no functional regression with existing integrations or customizations. Coordinate deployment timing with course calendars to minimize disruption.

Detection guidance

Monitor access logs for unauthenticated requests to administrative endpoints, API routes, or functions typically requiring login. Look for patterns of repeated access attempts to restricted functionality. Enable detailed audit logging in MasterStudy LMS Pro to capture authorization failures and unauthorized action attempts. Web application firewalls should be configured to enforce authentication requirements on protected resources.

Why prioritize this

Although rated MEDIUM severity, this vulnerability should be prioritized within 30 days because it requires no authentication, network exploitability, and ability to alter data integrity. LMS platforms hold sensitive educational and personal data; unauthorized modification poses reputational and compliance risk. The absence of KEV status does not indicate low threat—it reflects lack of current widespread exploitation, not patch maturity.

Risk score, explained

The CVSS 3.1 score of 6.5 reflects a network-accessible vulnerability with low attack complexity and no privilege or interaction requirements (high exploitability), offset by the lack of confidentiality impact and limited scope of integrity and availability effects. Organizations handling sensitive student data may assess local risk higher based on data sensitivity and exposure of the LMS to untrusted networks.

Frequently asked questions