CVE-2025-12778 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the Ultimate Member Widgets for Elementor – WordPress User Directory plugin, affecting all versions up to 2.3. The vulnerability stems from the handle_filter_users function lacking proper capability checks, which means that unauthenticated attackers can invoke this function to retrieve partial metadata of all WordPress users registered on the site. The exposed data includes personally identifiable information such as first names, last names, and email addresses. This unauthorized data disclosure does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it trivially exploitable remotely over the internet. The vulnerability does not permit modification or deletion of data, limiting its impact to confidentiality breaches. The plugin is commonly used to enhance user directories on WordPress sites, often in community or membership contexts, increasing the sensitivity of exposed data. Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the straightforward nature of the flaw suggests a high likelihood of exploitation attempts once widely known. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3 reflects a medium severity level, driven by network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The scope remains unchanged as the vulnerability affects only the plugin's data exposure capabilities. This vulnerability highlights the importance of enforcing authorization checks on all sensitive plugin functions to prevent unauthorized data leaks.

For European organizations, the primary impact is the unauthorized disclosure of user personal data, which can lead to privacy violations and non-compliance with GDPR regulations. Exposure of user names and email addresses can facilitate targeted phishing campaigns, social engineering attacks, and identity theft. Organizations operating membership or community websites using this plugin risk reputational damage and potential legal consequences due to data leakage. While the vulnerability does not allow data modification or service disruption, the confidentiality breach alone can have significant operational and financial repercussions. Public sector entities, educational institutions, and businesses with large user bases are particularly vulnerable. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the risk of widespread automated scanning and data harvesting attacks. Additionally, the lack of current patches or mitigations may prolong exposure. The medium severity rating suggests that while the threat is serious, it is not critical, but still demands timely remediation to protect user privacy and organizational compliance.

1. Monitor the vendor’s official channels for an official patch or update addressing CVE-2025-12778 and apply it immediately upon release. 2. Until a patch is available, restrict access to the affected plugin’s endpoints by implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules that block unauthenticated requests to the handle_filter_users function or related API calls. 3. Employ IP whitelisting or authentication mechanisms to limit access to user directory data only to trusted users or internal networks. 4. Conduct regular audits of WordPress plugins and remove or replace those that are no longer maintained or have known vulnerabilities. 5. Implement comprehensive logging and alerting for unusual access patterns to user directory endpoints to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 6. Educate site administrators on the risks of installing plugins without proper security reviews and encourage the use of security plugins that can detect missing authorization issues. 7. Review and minimize the amount of personal data exposed via user directories to reduce the impact of any potential leaks. 8. Ensure GDPR compliance by maintaining data processing records and promptly notifying affected users and authorities if a breach occurs.