CVE-2025-12022 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the ELEX WordPress HelpDesk & Customer Ticketing System plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 3.3.1. The vulnerability exists because the AJAX endpoint 'eh_crm_settings_restore_trash' does not perform proper capability checks before allowing the restoration of deleted tickets. This flaw permits any authenticated user with at least Subscriber-level privileges to restore tickets that were previously deleted, bypassing intended access controls. The vulnerability impacts the integrity of ticket data by enabling unauthorized modifications but does not affect confidentiality or availability. The attack vector is remote over the network (AV:N), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and only requires privileges of an authenticated user (PR:L) without user interaction (UI:N). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), meaning the impact is limited to the vulnerable component. Although no public exploits have been reported, the vulnerability poses a risk to organizations relying on this plugin for customer support ticket management. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments, which are prevalent across Europe, especially in SMBs and customer service operations. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting necessitates interim mitigations to prevent exploitation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability primarily threatens the integrity of customer support data by allowing unauthorized users to restore deleted tickets. This could lead to confusion in ticket handling, potential exposure of previously removed sensitive information, and disruption of support workflows. While it does not directly compromise confidentiality or availability, the unauthorized restoration of tickets may undermine trust in the support system and complicate incident response or audit trails. Organizations relying heavily on the ELEX plugin for managing customer interactions may face operational inefficiencies and reputational damage if attackers exploit this flaw. Given the widespread use of WordPress and associated plugins in Europe, particularly in sectors like retail, finance, and public services, the risk is non-trivial. However, the requirement for authenticated access limits exposure to internal or compromised accounts rather than anonymous attackers.

1. Monitor for updates from the vendor and apply patches promptly once released to address the missing authorization check. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict access to the 'eh_crm_settings_restore_trash' AJAX endpoint by implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules or server-level access controls to limit requests to trusted administrators only. 3. Review and tighten user role assignments within WordPress to ensure that Subscriber-level users do not have unnecessary access to sensitive plugin functionality. 4. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user accounts to reduce the risk of credential compromise. 5. Regularly audit ticket restoration logs and user activities to detect any unauthorized restoration attempts. 6. Consider disabling or replacing the plugin if immediate patching or mitigation is not feasible, especially in high-risk environments. 7. Educate support staff about the vulnerability and encourage vigilance for unusual ticket restoration activities.