CVE-2025-12696 identifies a security vulnerability in the HelloLeads CRM Form Shortcode WordPress plugin, specifically versions up to 1.0. The plugin fails to implement authorization checks and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protections when resetting its settings. This means that any unauthenticated user can send crafted HTTP requests to the plugin’s reset endpoint and forcibly reset the plugin’s configuration to default or attacker-controlled states. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) and CWE-352 (Cross-Site Request Forgery). The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, indicating a medium severity level, with the vector indicating network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), unchanged scope (S:U), no confidentiality impact (C:N), low integrity impact (I:L), and no availability impact (A:N). The lack of authorization and CSRF checks means that attackers do not need to authenticate or trick users into performing actions; they can directly reset plugin settings remotely. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized configuration changes that could disrupt CRM functionality or be leveraged as a foothold for further attacks. The plugin is used within WordPress environments, which are widely deployed across many organizations, including SMEs and enterprises. The vulnerability’s impact is limited to integrity, as attackers cannot access sensitive data or cause denial of service directly but can alter plugin behavior. The absence of patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate attention to mitigate risks.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized resetting of CRM plugin settings, potentially disrupting customer relationship management workflows and data handling processes. Although it does not directly expose sensitive data or cause service outages, the integrity compromise could result in misconfigured CRM forms, loss of custom settings, or enable attackers to insert malicious configurations that facilitate further exploitation or data manipulation. Organizations relying on HelloLeads CRM Form Shortcode for lead management or customer interactions may experience operational inefficiencies or reputational damage if attackers exploit this flaw. The risk is heightened for SMEs and digital agencies using WordPress plugins without rigorous security controls. Additionally, if attackers chain this vulnerability with others, it could escalate into more severe breaches. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements makes exploitation straightforward, increasing the likelihood of automated attacks targeting vulnerable WordPress sites across Europe.

1. Monitor for official patches or updates from the HelloLeads plugin developers and apply them immediately once available. 2. Until patches are released, restrict access to WordPress administrative endpoints using IP whitelisting or VPN access to limit exposure. 3. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block unauthorized requests attempting to reset plugin settings, focusing on POST requests to the plugin’s reset endpoints. 4. Regularly audit WordPress plugins and remove or replace those that are unmaintained or have known vulnerabilities. 5. Implement strict user role management and ensure that only trusted administrators have access to plugin settings. 6. Enable logging and monitoring of configuration changes to detect unauthorized resets promptly. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of installing plugins without proper security reviews. 8. Consider isolating critical WordPress instances or using containerization to limit the blast radius of potential exploits.