The DesignThemes LMS plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.4. This is due to the 'dtlms_register_user_front_end' function not restricting what user roles a user can register with. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to supply the 'administrator' role during registration and gain administrator access to the site.
CVE-2025-13542 is a critical severity with CVSS 9.8 Privilege Escalation issue affecting the Plugin DesignThemes LMS. It affects Versions up to 1.0.4 and is fixed in 1.0.5.
Use the related hub and response guides to connect this CVE-2025-13542 report with patch validation, scanner checks, and site hardening work.
Open the grouped hub for related CVEs, affected ranges, severity mix, and patch coverage.
Check access, XML-RPC exposure, backup readiness, and monitoring after patching.
Use containment, evidence capture, remediation, and validation steps when exploit risk is high.
CVE-2025-13542 is tracked for the Plugin DesignThemes LMS as critical severity with CVSS 9.8. The affected range is Versions up to 1.0.4. Update DesignThemes LMS to 1.0.5 or newer where that version is compatible with the site.
Search engines and operators need more than a title. This page exposes the identifier, affected range, patch evidence, and source coverage that make the vulnerability actionable.
This report has a CVE identifier, which makes it suitable for focused search and vulnerability triage workflows.
Affected version data gives operators a concrete comparison point against installed WordPress software.
A fixed version is present, so the page can answer update and remediation intent directly.
External references are available for source validation, advisory review, and incident notes.
Use these checks when converting this record into a patch ticket, incident note, or risk acceptance decision.
Inventory the installed Plugin package and compare its version with Versions up to 1.0.4.
Confirm DesignThemes LMS is updated to 1.0.5 or newer.
Review references and CVSS vector details for exploitability, authentication requirements, and exposure path.
After patching, re-run vulnerability monitoring and keep the related plugin or theme hub under review for follow-up CVEs.
| Software Type | Plugin |
|---|---|
| Software Slug |
designthemes-lms
View on wordpress.org
|
| CVE | CVE-2025-13542 |
| Patched Versions |
1.0.5
|
| Affected Versions |
Versions up to 1.0.4
|
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