Rank Math Plugin - Redirect Creation (CVE-2020-11515)

CVE-2020-11515 is a vulnerability in the Rank Math plugin for WordPress (up to version 1.0.40.2) that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to create arbitrary redirect URIs via an insecure REST API endpoint. This flaw can be exploited to craft malicious links that redirect users to external sites, potentially facilitating phishing attacks or traffic redirection schemes.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 24th of September 2025.

CrowdSec network observations suggest that most exploitation of CVE-2020-11515 involves focused reconnaissance to identify viable targets. Attackers typically tailor their campaigns based on system exposure and configuration. It is unlikely that a given attack is accidental. In addition, according to the CrowdSec network, attack volume against CVE-2020-11515 has dipped slightly compared to the previous week. Although still commonly targeted, the decline suggests a cooling-off period. Long-term relevance remains, but attention is waning.

Attackers exploit the unprotected /wp-json/rankmath/v1/updateRedirection REST API endpoint to create arbitrary redirection URIs on vulnerable WordPress sites. This allows unauthenticated requests to set up redirects to attacker-controlled external websites.