The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-12640 affects the 'Folders – Unlimited Folders to Organize Media Library Folder, Pages, Posts, File Manager' WordPress plugin developed by galdub. The issue stems from missing object-level authorization checks within the handle_folders_file_upload() function, which is responsible for handling media file uploads and replacements within the plugin. This security flaw allows any authenticated user with Author-level permissions or higher to replace arbitrary media files in the WordPress Media Library without proper authorization verification. Since Authors typically have the ability to upload and manage their own content, this vulnerability escalates their privileges by enabling unauthorized modification of media files uploaded by other users or administrators. The impact is primarily on the integrity of media content, as attackers can replace legitimate media files with malicious or misleading ones. This could facilitate misinformation campaigns, defacement, or indirect attacks such as embedding malicious code in media files that are later served to site visitors. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or availability directly, and no user interaction is required beyond authentication. The CVSS v3.1 score is 4.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited scope and impact. There are currently no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been released at the time of this report. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments to organize media libraries, making this vulnerability relevant to many websites relying on this plugin for content management.

For European organizations, the vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity of their web content managed via WordPress using the affected plugin. Unauthorized media replacement can lead to the dissemination of false or malicious content, damaging brand reputation and user trust. In sectors such as media, e-commerce, education, and government, where accurate and trustworthy content is critical, this could have significant operational and reputational consequences. Additionally, replaced media files could be weaponized to deliver malware or phishing payloads to site visitors, potentially leading to broader security incidents. Although the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or availability directly, the indirect effects on user trust and potential for downstream attacks make it a notable threat. The requirement for Author-level access limits exposure to some extent, but many organizations grant such privileges to multiple users, increasing the attack surface. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability becomes widely known.

Organizations should immediately audit and restrict Author-level access to trusted personnel only, minimizing the number of users who can exploit this vulnerability. Implement strict role-based access controls and regularly review user permissions to ensure least privilege principles are enforced. Monitor media library changes and maintain logs to detect unauthorized media replacements promptly. Employ file integrity monitoring solutions that can alert on unexpected modifications to media files. Until an official patch is released by the plugin vendor, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the plugin with alternative solutions that do not exhibit this vulnerability. Educate content managers and administrators about the risk and encourage vigilance for suspicious media changes. Once a patch becomes available, prioritize its deployment across all affected WordPress instances. Additionally, consider implementing web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious upload or replacement activities related to this plugin.