The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-12875 affects the Easy Digital Downloads – eCommerce Payments and Subscriptions made easy plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 3.3.2. It is classified as CWE-73, External Control of File Name or Path, specifically a directory traversal flaw. This vulnerability arises from insufficient validation or sanitization of user-supplied input in the file download functionality, allowing an authenticated attacker with Administrator-level access or higher to manipulate file paths and access arbitrary files on the server's filesystem. Exploitation does not require user interaction but does require elevated privileges, meaning only trusted users with administrative rights can leverage this flaw. The attacker can read sensitive files potentially containing configuration data, credentials, or other confidential information, which could facilitate further attacks or data breaches. The vulnerability does not permit modification or deletion of files, nor does it impact service availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.9, reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality. No patches or exploit code are currently publicly available, and no known active exploitation has been reported. This vulnerability highlights the risk of insufficient input validation in WordPress plugins handling file operations, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices and privilege management.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12875 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to arbitrary file read capabilities. Organizations using the affected plugin risk exposure of critical data such as configuration files, database credentials, private keys, or other sensitive content stored on the web server. This could lead to further compromise, including privilege escalation, lateral movement, or data exfiltration. Since exploitation requires Administrator-level access, the threat is mainly from insider threats or attackers who have already compromised administrative credentials. However, once exploited, the attacker gains significant insight into the environment, potentially facilitating more severe attacks. The vulnerability does not directly affect system integrity or availability but undermines confidentiality, which can have severe consequences for compliance, intellectual property protection, and customer trust. E-commerce sites relying on this plugin may face reputational damage and financial losses if sensitive data is leaked. The medium CVSS score reflects the balance between the requirement for high privileges and the significant confidentiality impact.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12875, organizations should immediately update the Easy Digital Downloads plugin to a version where this vulnerability is patched once available. Until a patch is released, restrict Administrator-level access strictly to trusted personnel and implement strong authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Review and audit user accounts with elevated privileges regularly to detect unauthorized access. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block directory traversal attempts, although this may be limited given the requirement for authenticated access. Harden server file permissions to minimize sensitive file exposure and consider isolating critical files outside the web root where possible. Monitor logs for unusual file access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. Additionally, conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize and report suspicious activities. Finally, implement a defense-in-depth strategy including regular backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential breaches.