CVE-2025-12826 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) affecting the Custom Post Type UI plugin for WordPress, maintained by webdevstudios. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to verify that a user has the necessary capabilities before performing actions within the cptui_process_post_type function. This function handles the creation, editing, and deletion of custom post types, which are essential components in WordPress for defining content structures beyond default posts and pages. The flaw allows any authenticated user with at least subscriber-level privileges to bypass authorization controls and manipulate custom post types. This can lead to unauthorized changes in the website’s content architecture, potentially impacting site integrity and availability. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.18.0. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 4.8 (medium severity), reflecting that exploitation requires network access and authentication but no user interaction. The attack complexity is high due to the need for authenticated access, and the impact is limited to integrity and availability with no confidentiality loss. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant for sites relying on this plugin. The vulnerability was published on December 4, 2025, and no official patches are currently linked, indicating the need for vigilance and interim mitigations.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-12826 can be substantial, especially for those heavily reliant on WordPress for their web presence and using the Custom Post Type UI plugin. Unauthorized modification of custom post types can disrupt website functionality, degrade user experience, and potentially damage brand reputation. Attackers could manipulate content structures to inject malicious content or disrupt business operations. Although the vulnerability does not directly expose sensitive data, the integrity and availability of web content are at risk. This can affect e-commerce sites, government portals, and media organizations that depend on custom post types for content management. Given the medium severity and requirement for authenticated access, insider threats or compromised subscriber accounts pose the greatest risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk of future exploitation. Organizations with compliance obligations under GDPR must consider the reputational and regulatory consequences of unauthorized content manipulation.

1. Monitor for an official patch from webdevstudios and apply it promptly once available. 2. Until patched, restrict subscriber-level users from accessing or interacting with the Custom Post Type UI plugin functionality by adjusting WordPress user roles and capabilities. 3. Implement strict access controls and audit logging to detect unauthorized changes to custom post types. 4. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to monitor and block suspicious requests targeting plugin endpoints. 5. Regularly review user accounts and remove or downgrade unnecessary subscriber-level accounts to minimize attack surface. 6. Educate site administrators about the risk and encourage immediate reporting of unusual site behavior. 7. Consider disabling or replacing the plugin with alternative solutions that enforce proper authorization checks if patching is delayed.