The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-12674 affects the KiotViet Sync plugin for WordPress, a tool commonly used to synchronize inventory and sales data for retail businesses. The root cause is a lack of proper file type validation in the create_media() function, which handles file uploads. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files, including potentially malicious scripts, to the server hosting the WordPress site. Since the plugin does not restrict the types of files uploaded, attackers can upload executable code, leading to remote code execution (RCE). The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.8.5, with no authentication or user interaction required, making it highly exploitable. The CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the severity and ease of exploitation make it a prime target for attackers. The absence of patches or official fixes increases the urgency for organizations to implement interim protective measures. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where WordPress sites are exposed to the internet and use the KiotViet Sync plugin for business operations, as it could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or full server takeover.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-12674 can be severe. Retailers and e-commerce businesses using WordPress with KiotViet Sync risk unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, financial information, and internal business processes. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, defacement of websites, ransomware deployment, or use of compromised servers as pivot points for further attacks within corporate networks. The loss of availability could disrupt sales and inventory management, causing financial losses and reputational damage. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and the lack of authentication barriers, attackers can easily exploit this flaw remotely, increasing the risk of widespread compromise. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as GDPR in Europe, may face legal and compliance consequences if breaches occur. The threat also extends to supply chain security, as compromised retail platforms can affect partners and customers downstream.

Immediate mitigation steps include disabling the KiotViet Sync plugin until a vendor patch is released. Organizations should implement strict web application firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious file upload attempts targeting the create_media() function. Restrict file upload directories with appropriate permissions to prevent execution of uploaded files. Conduct thorough audits of existing uploads for malicious content and monitor server logs for unusual activity. Employ network segmentation to isolate WordPress servers from critical internal systems. Regularly update all WordPress components and plugins to the latest versions once patches become available. Additionally, implement multi-factor authentication and least privilege principles for administrative access to WordPress. Educate IT staff about this vulnerability to ensure rapid detection and response. Consider deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS) tuned to detect exploitation attempts related to arbitrary file uploads.