CVE-2025-0764 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) found in the wpForo Forum plugin for WordPress, developed by tomdever. The flaw exists in the 'update' method of the 'Members' class, present in all versions up to and including 2.4.1. It allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level privileges or higher to perform arbitrary file read operations on the hosting server. This occurs because the plugin fails to properly validate input parameters before processing file access requests, enabling attackers to craft malicious requests that read sensitive files outside the intended scope. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction, but it does require authentication at a low privilege level, which is commonly granted to registered forum users. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability. No public exploits or patches are currently known or available, indicating that the vulnerability is newly disclosed. The exposure of arbitrary files can lead to leakage of sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other private data stored on the server, potentially facilitating further attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous input validation and least privilege principles in web application components, especially those handling user-generated content and file operations.

The primary impact of CVE-2025-0764 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information due to arbitrary file read capabilities. Attackers with subscriber-level access can access server files that may contain database credentials, configuration details, or private user data, compromising confidentiality. This can lead to further exploitation, such as privilege escalation, data theft, or targeted attacks against the hosting environment. Although the vulnerability does not directly affect data integrity or availability, the exposure of sensitive files can undermine organizational security posture and trust. Organizations relying on wpForo Forum for community engagement or customer support may face reputational damage and compliance risks if sensitive data is leaked. The requirement for authenticated access limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk, as subscriber accounts are commonly created or compromised. The absence of known exploits suggests limited current exploitation, but the medium severity score and ease of exploitation warrant prompt attention. The vulnerability affects all versions up to 2.4.1, indicating a broad scope of impacted installations worldwide.

1. Immediately restrict subscriber-level privileges to the minimum necessary, removing any unnecessary file access capabilities. 2. Monitor server logs and application logs for unusual file access patterns or requests targeting the 'update' method of the 'Members' class. 3. Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious input patterns attempting directory traversal or arbitrary file reads. 4. Isolate the WordPress environment and wpForo plugin files with strict filesystem permissions to limit file read access to only essential components. 5. Disable or restrict plugin features that allow file operations until a vendor patch is released. 6. Regularly check for and apply security updates from the wpForo plugin vendor as soon as patches become available. 7. Educate forum administrators and users about the risk of account compromise and enforce strong authentication policies to reduce the likelihood of attacker access. 8. Consider deploying runtime application self-protection (RASP) solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts in real time. 9. Conduct a thorough security review of all plugins and custom code to ensure proper input validation and adherence to the principle of least privilege.