CVE-2025-12876 is a vulnerability identified in the Projectopia WordPress Project Management plugin, specifically in all versions up to and including 5.1.19. The root cause is a missing authorization check (CWE-862) on the pto_delete_file AJAX action, which is responsible for handling file deletion requests. This flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to invoke this AJAX action remotely and delete arbitrary attachments stored within the plugin's managed projects. The vulnerability does not require any privileges or user interaction, making it trivially exploitable over the network. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting that while the attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or interaction, the impact is limited to integrity loss (unauthorized deletion of files) without affecting confidentiality or availability. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability could lead to data loss or disruption of project workflows, especially in environments relying heavily on Projectopia for managing project files and documentation. The lack of authorization checks indicates a design oversight in access control mechanisms within the plugin's AJAX handlers.

For European organizations, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using WordPress with the Projectopia plugin for project management, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized deletion of project-related attachments. This can lead to loss of critical project documentation, disruption of workflows, and potential delays in project delivery. While it does not expose sensitive data or cause denial of service, the integrity compromise could undermine trust in project management processes and require costly recovery efforts. Organizations in sectors with stringent documentation requirements (e.g., legal, engineering, finance) may face compliance challenges if project files are tampered with or lost. Additionally, attackers could leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain to cause operational disruption or to cover tracks by deleting evidence files. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the threat level, particularly for publicly accessible WordPress sites.

1. Monitor official Projectopia plugin channels for security updates and apply patches promptly once released. 2. In the absence of an immediate patch, restrict access to the pto_delete_file AJAX endpoint by implementing web application firewall (WAF) rules that block unauthenticated requests targeting this action. 3. Harden WordPress installations by limiting plugin usage to trusted administrators and minimizing exposure of administrative AJAX endpoints. 4. Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized deletions or modifications of project attachments. 5. Regularly back up project files and attachments to enable recovery in case of deletion. 6. Conduct security audits of WordPress plugins and remove or replace those with known authorization weaknesses. 7. Educate site administrators on the risks of unauthorized access and encourage the use of strong authentication and access controls for WordPress admin areas.