CVE-2025-12022 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the ELEX WordPress HelpDesk & Customer Ticketing System plugin up to version 3.3.1. The issue stems from the absence of a capability check on the AJAX endpoint 'eh_crm_settings_restore_trash', which is responsible for restoring deleted tickets. This flaw allows any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges to invoke this endpoint and restore all deleted tickets, bypassing intended authorization controls. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges beyond Subscriber, nor does it require user interaction, making it relatively easy to exploit within an authenticated session. The impact is limited to unauthorized modification of ticket data (integrity), with no direct confidentiality or availability consequences. The CVSS v3.1 score of 4.3 reflects its medium severity, considering the low attack complexity and privileges required but limited impact scope. No patches or known exploits are currently available, indicating that organizations must rely on compensating controls until an official fix is released. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to 3.3.1, which is widely used in WordPress-based customer support environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized restoration of deleted customer support tickets, potentially causing confusion, data integrity issues, and operational disruptions in helpdesk workflows. Attackers with minimal privileges could manipulate ticket records, possibly reinstating tickets that were deleted for valid reasons, which might affect customer service quality and audit trails. While it does not expose sensitive data or disrupt service availability, the integrity compromise could undermine trust in the ticketing system and complicate incident investigations. Organizations relying heavily on this plugin for customer support may face increased risk of internal misuse or low-privilege insider threats exploiting this flaw. The impact is more pronounced in sectors with strict data governance and compliance requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and public administration, common in Europe.

Until an official patch is released, European organizations should implement strict access controls by limiting Subscriber-level accounts and auditing user roles within WordPress environments. Employ role hardening to ensure that only trusted users have Subscriber or higher privileges. Disable or restrict access to the vulnerable AJAX endpoint via web application firewalls (WAFs) or custom rules that block unauthorized requests to 'eh_crm_settings_restore_trash'. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to ticket restoration actions. Consider temporarily deactivating the ELEX HelpDesk plugin if feasible, or replacing it with alternative solutions that enforce proper authorization. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of compromised accounts being used to exploit this vulnerability. Regularly review and update WordPress plugins and monitor vendor communications for forthcoming patches.