The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-10041 affects the Flex QR Code Generator plugin for WordPress, developed by ajitdas. The core issue lies in the save_qr_code_to_db() function, which lacks proper validation of uploaded file types. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, including potentially malicious scripts, to the server hosting the WordPress site. Because the plugin does not restrict file types, attackers can upload web shells or other executable code, leading to remote code execution (RCE). The vulnerability impacts all versions up to and including 1.2.5. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with an attack vector that is network-based (AV:N), requiring no privileges (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability at a high level (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the ease of exploitation and the critical impact make this a high-risk vulnerability. The plugin is commonly used on WordPress sites to generate QR codes, often in e-commerce, marketing, and public sector websites, increasing the potential attack surface. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix is not yet publicly available, emphasizing the need for immediate defensive measures.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant threat to web infrastructure security. Successful exploitation can lead to full server compromise, data breaches, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. Confidential information stored on or accessible through the compromised server can be stolen or altered, damaging organizational reputation and violating data protection regulations such as GDPR. The availability of services may be disrupted due to malicious payload execution or cleanup efforts. Public-facing WordPress sites, especially those in sectors like government, finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, are at heightened risk. The critical severity and unauthenticated nature of the exploit mean attackers can easily target vulnerable sites en masse, potentially leading to widespread incidents across Europe.

1. Immediately audit all WordPress sites for the presence of the Flex QR Code Generator plugin and identify versions up to 1.2.5. 2. Disable or remove the vulnerable plugin until an official patch is released. 3. If possible, apply any vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available. 4. Implement strict web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious file uploads, particularly those attempting to upload executable scripts or files with dangerous extensions. 5. Restrict file upload permissions on the server to prevent execution of uploaded files in the plugin’s directories. 6. Monitor web server logs and file system changes for signs of unauthorized uploads or web shell deployments. 7. Employ network segmentation to limit the impact of a compromised web server. 8. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely updates. 9. Consider using security plugins that enforce file upload validation and integrity monitoring. 10. Regularly back up website data and configurations to enable rapid recovery if compromise occurs.