CVE-2025-11497 identifies a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the Advanced Database Cleaner plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 3.1.6. The root cause is improper input validation (CWE-20) due to missing or incorrect nonce validation in the aDBc_prepare_elements_to_clean() function. Nonces in WordPress are security tokens used to verify that requests originate from legitimate users and prevent CSRF attacks. The absence or incorrect implementation of nonce checks allows an attacker to craft a malicious request that, when executed by an authenticated administrator (e.g., via clicking a link), can alter the plugin’s 'keep last' setting. This setting controls how many database elements are retained during cleaning operations, and unauthorized changes could lead to unintended database cleanup behavior. The vulnerability does not expose sensitive data directly (no confidentiality impact) nor does it cause denial of service (no availability impact), but it compromises the integrity of plugin configuration. Exploitation requires no authentication but does require user interaction, specifically an administrator clicking a maliciously crafted link. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium), reflecting the limited impact and exploitation complexity. No public exploits are known at this time, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments, which are common in European organizations of all sizes, especially in sectors relying on CMS platforms for web presence and e-commerce.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to the integrity of WordPress site configurations. Unauthorized changes to the 'keep last' setting could result in improper database cleaning, potentially deleting important data or retaining unwanted data, which might affect site stability or performance. While it does not directly compromise sensitive data or cause service outages, altered database cleaning behavior could indirectly impact business operations, especially for organizations relying heavily on their WordPress sites for customer interaction or e-commerce. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could also use it as a foothold for further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. Given the widespread use of WordPress across Europe, particularly among SMEs and public sector entities, the threat is relevant. The requirement for administrator interaction limits mass exploitation but targeted phishing campaigns could be effective. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the need for vigilance.

1. Monitor for and apply updates to the Advanced Database Cleaner plugin as soon as a patch addressing CVE-2025-11497 is released by the vendor. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict administrative access to trusted networks or VPNs to reduce exposure to CSRF attacks. 3. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules that detect and block CSRF attack patterns targeting WordPress plugins. 4. Educate WordPress administrators about the risks of clicking on unsolicited links, especially those received via email or social media, to reduce the likelihood of successful phishing attempts. 5. Use security plugins that enforce nonce validation or add additional CSRF protections on administrative actions. 6. Regularly audit plugin configurations and database cleaning settings to detect unauthorized changes promptly. 7. Employ multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress admin accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise in related attack scenarios.