CVE-2025-12775 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) found in the WP Dropzone plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.1.0. The root cause lies in the plugin's chunked upload functionality, specifically within the ajax_upload_handle function, which writes uploaded file chunks directly to the server's uploads directory before performing any file type validation. This improper sequencing allows authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges or higher to upload arbitrary files, including potentially malicious scripts. Because these files are stored in a web-accessible directory, attackers can leverage this to execute remote code on the affected server, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability requires authentication but no additional user interaction, making it easier to exploit for insiders or compromised accounts. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the vulnerability's high impact and low attack complexity. Although no known exploits are currently in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of the WP Dropzone plugin. The lack of a patch link indicates that a fix may not yet be available, emphasizing the need for immediate mitigation steps.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to web infrastructure relying on WordPress with the WP Dropzone plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over web servers, steal sensitive data, deface websites, or use compromised servers as pivot points for further network intrusion. This can disrupt business operations, damage reputation, and lead to regulatory non-compliance, especially under GDPR where data breaches must be reported. The requirement for only subscriber-level authentication lowers the barrier for exploitation, increasing the threat from insider threats or compromised user accounts. Given the extensive use of WordPress across Europe for government, education, and commercial websites, the potential impact is broad and severe. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites are particularly vulnerable to defacement, data theft, or ransomware attacks stemming from this flaw.

Immediate mitigation should focus on restricting access and monitoring. Organizations should: 1) Temporarily disable or remove the WP Dropzone plugin until a patch is released. 2) Restrict user roles and permissions to minimize subscriber-level account creation and monitor for suspicious account activity. 3) Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block suspicious file upload patterns, especially chunked uploads to the uploads directory. 4) Harden the uploads directory by disabling execution permissions on uploaded files to prevent remote code execution. 5) Conduct thorough audits of existing uploads directories for unauthorized or suspicious files. 6) Monitor logs for unusual upload activity or access patterns. 7) Keep WordPress core and all plugins updated and subscribe to security advisories for timely patching once available. 8) Employ multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of account compromise. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control, monitoring, and environment hardening specific to this vulnerability's exploitation vector.