CVE-2025-10185 is a SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the NEX-Forms – Ultimate Forms Plugin for WordPress, a popular form-building plugin. The flaw exists in the handling of the 'orderby' parameter within the nf_load_form_entries action, where user input is insufficiently escaped and the SQL query is not properly prepared. This improper neutralization of special elements (CWE-89) allows an authenticated attacker with Administrator-level privileges or higher to append arbitrary SQL commands to existing queries. Consequently, attackers can extract sensitive information from the underlying database, potentially exposing user data, credentials, or other confidential information stored in the WordPress database. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 9.1.6. Exploitation requires no user interaction but does require high-privilege authentication, limiting the threat to insiders or compromised administrator accounts. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.9 (medium severity), reflecting network attack vector, low attack complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, and high impact on confidentiality but no impact on integrity or availability. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the vulnerability is published and should be addressed promptly. The plugin's widespread use in WordPress sites globally, including Europe, makes this a relevant concern for organizations relying on this software for form management.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of sensitive data stored in WordPress databases, including personal data protected under GDPR. Unauthorized data extraction could lead to data breaches, regulatory fines, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust. Since exploitation requires administrator-level access, the threat is heightened in environments with multiple administrators or weak internal access controls. Attackers who gain or already have such access can leverage this vulnerability to escalate data exfiltration capabilities without detection. The impact is particularly critical for organizations handling sensitive customer information, financial data, or intellectual property. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain if attackers compromise lower-privileged users and escalate privileges. The medium CVSS score indicates moderate urgency, but the potential for data leakage in regulated environments elevates the importance of timely mitigation. European sectors with high WordPress usage, such as media, e-commerce, and public sector websites, are especially vulnerable.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately audit and restrict administrator-level access to the WordPress environment, ensuring only trusted personnel have such privileges. Implement strict access control policies and monitor for unusual administrator activity. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'orderby' parameter in the nf_load_form_entries action. Regularly review and sanitize all user inputs in custom code or plugins. Since no official patch is currently available, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the NEX-Forms plugin with a secure alternative until a fix is released. Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration tests focusing on WordPress plugins and database interactions. Enable detailed logging of database queries and monitor for anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate administrators on the risks of privilege misuse and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised credentials. Once a patch is released, prioritize immediate application and verify the fix.