CVE-2025-12481 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the WP Duplicate Page plugin for WordPress, developed by ninjateam. This plugin, widely used to duplicate pages and posts for content management efficiency, contains a flaw in its 'saveSettings' function where it fails to properly verify that the user performing the action is authorized to do so. Specifically, authenticated users with Contributor-level access or higher can exploit this vulnerability to modify plugin settings that control role capabilities. By manipulating these capabilities, an attacker can escalate privileges beyond their intended scope, allowing them to duplicate and view password-protected posts that may contain sensitive or confidential information. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring user interaction, and no authentication beyond Contributor-level access is needed. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting limited confidentiality impact, no integrity or availability impact, and low attack complexity. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability poses a risk especially in environments where multiple users have Contributor or higher roles, or where insider threats exist. The plugin affects all versions up to and including 1.7, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability highlights the importance of strict authorization checks in WordPress plugins that manage role capabilities and sensitive content access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored in password-protected posts, potentially exposing intellectual property, personal data, or confidential business information. Organizations relying on WordPress for content management, especially those with multiple contributors or editors, face increased risk of insider misuse or exploitation by compromised accounts. The ability to escalate privileges through role capability manipulation can undermine internal access controls, leading to broader data exposure. This could result in reputational damage, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR violations if personal data is exposed), and potential financial losses. Since the vulnerability does not affect integrity or availability directly, the primary concern is confidentiality breach. The medium severity score suggests moderate risk but should not be underestimated in sensitive environments. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of targeted attacks or future exploit development.

European organizations should immediately audit user roles and permissions within WordPress sites using the WP Duplicate Page plugin, ensuring that only trusted users have Contributor-level or higher access. Restrict plugin settings modification to Administrator roles exclusively, if possible, by customizing capability checks or using additional access control plugins. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to plugin settings changes or page duplication actions. Disable or uninstall the WP Duplicate Page plugin if it is not essential to reduce the attack surface. Implement a robust patch management process to apply updates as soon as ninjateam releases a fix. Consider deploying Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block unauthorized attempts to access or modify plugin settings. Educate content managers and contributors about the risks of privilege escalation and encourage strong account security practices, including multi-factor authentication. Regularly back up WordPress sites and sensitive content to enable recovery in case of compromise.